Toxicants from Mangrove Plants, V. Isolation of the Piscicide, 2-Hydroxy-5-methoxy-3-undecyl-1,4-benzo-quinone (5-O-Methylembelin) from Aegiceras corniculatum

Abstract

Extracts of the twigs and stems of the mangrove plant Aegiceras corniculatum demonstrated toxicity to fish (Tilapia nilotica). 5-O-Methylembelin was isolated and was shown to be toxic to fish at a concentration of 1 ppm within a period of 75 min. The structure of 5-O-methylembelin was determined by a study of spectroscopic properties and comparison with an authentic synthetic sample.