2-Ethyl-3-methylmaleimide in Tokyo Bay sediments providing the first evidence for its formation from chlorophylls in the present photic and oxygenic zone.
Tokyo Bay bottom sediments were analyzed for 2-ethyl-3-methylmaleimide, a degradation product of chlorophylls, which has been detected in ancient sediments. It was found in all sediments examined in concentrations of about 1 to 15 nmol/g- of dried sediment, and it was shown to be preserved for 100 years in the sediments. Its depth distribution agreed with that of the reported total organic carbon content of the sediments, reflecting a change in primary productivity. We concluded that this maleimide was produced under photic and oxygenic conditions in nature before the incorporation of photosynthesizing organisms into sediments.
Kozono
Masaki
M
Department of Chemistry, University of Tsukuba, Japan.
Nomoto
Shinya
S
Mita
Hajime
H
Ishiwatari
Ryoshi
R
Shimoyama
Akira
A
D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000737:chemistry*; D004777:Environment; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D007564:Japan; D008027:Light; D008301:Maleimides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010100:Oxygen
C474814:2-ethyl-3-methylmaleimide; D008301:Maleimides; D002734:Chlorophyll; D010100:Oxygen