*3.5. Caracterization of Peridinin-3-acyl Esters*

Peridinin-3-acyl esters. FAB-MS: *m/z* 868.5860 [M]+ (calcd. for C55H80O8, 868.5856) peridinin 3-palmitate, *m/z* 866.5698 [M]+ (calcd. for C55H79O8, 866.5703) peridinin 3- palmitolate, *m/z* 840.5550 [M]+ (calcd. for C53H76O8, 840.5547) peridinin 3-myristate; UV-VIS 455, 475 nm; 1H NMR (CDCl3), Έ 0.88 (3H, t, *J* = 7.5 Hz, CH3 in fatty acid moiety), 0.99 (3H, s, H-16), 1.07 (3H, s, H-17ȝ), 1.20 (3H, s H-17), 1.21 (3H, s H-18), 1.25 (about 24H, s, -CH2- in fatty acid moiety), 1.35 (3H, s, H-18ȝ), 1.39 (3H, s, H-16ȝ), 1.41 (1H, dd, *J* = 13, 7 Hz,H-2ȝΆ), 1.51 (1H, dd, *J* = 13, 12.5 Hz, H-4ȝΆ), 1.64 (1H, dd, *J* = 12.5, 12 Hz, H-2΅ eq), 1.79 (1H, dd, *J* = 12, 7 Hz, H-4Ά ax), 1.81 (3H, s, H-19<sup>ȝ</sup>), 2.00 (H, ddd, *J* = 13, 4, 2 Hz, H-2ȝ΅), 2.04 (3H, s, CH3CO-), 2.23 (3H, s, H-20), 2.29 (1H, overlapped, H-΅), 2.28 (2H, t, *J* = 7.5 Hz, -CH2-COOH in fatty acid moiety), 2.41 (1H, ddd, *J* = 14, 5, 1.5 Hz, H-4΅), 4.95 (1H, m, H-3), 5.37 (1H, m, H-3<sup>ȝ</sup>), 5.74 (1H, s, H-12), 6.06 (1H, s, H-8ȝ), 6.11 (1H, d, *J* = 11 Hz, H-10ȝ), 6.38 (1H, dg, *J* = 14, 11 Hz, H-11ȝ), 6.40 (1H, d, *J* = 16 Hz, H-8), 6.46 (1H, d, *J* = 11 Hz, H-14<sup>ȝ</sup>), 6.51 (1H, dd, *J* = 14, 11 Hz, H-15<sup>ȝ</sup>), 6.61 (2H, dd, *J* = 14, 11 Hz, H-11<sup>ȝ</sup>, 15<sup>ȝ</sup>). 

## **4. Conclusions**

In conclusion, carotenoids found in the coral *A. japonica*, clam *T. squamosa*, starfish *A. planci*, and sea snail *D. fragum* well reflected not only their metabolism but also the food chain. The accumulation and metabolism of carotenoids that originate from zooxanthellae to the starfish through the food chain are summarized in Figure 3. 

**Figure 3.** Accumulation and metabolism of carotenoids that originate from zooxanthellae to the starfish and sea snail through the food chain. 
