The Chemistry of Marine Algae and Cyanobacteria

This chapter reviews the major metabolic themes that are characteristic of the prominent groups of marine algae and cyanobacteria. The taxonomic organization of the chapter facilitates an appreciation of the uniqueness of each of these groups in their capacity to elaborate specific classes of secondary metabolites. For each compound discussed, which are chosen as representatives of chemical themes, a brief story is presented which describes the natural history of the organism, the isolation of the natural product, its structure elucidation, and as appropriate, the pharmacology, chemical ecology, and biosynthesis of the isolated metabolite. Many unanswered questions remain in understanding these diverse algal chemistries, and numerous areas for future exploration are suggested throughout the chapter.