Substance isolated from the kelp rhizoid identified as L-tryptophan shows high inhibition of breast cancer
Takahashi, N.; Ojika, M.; Dogasaki, C.; Nishizawa, M.; Fukuoka, H.; Sahara, H.; Sato, N.; Mori, M.; Kikuchi, K.
Gan to Kagaku Ryoho. Cancer and ChemoTherapy 27(2): 251-255
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0385-0684 PMID: 10700896 Document Number: 520635
In general, the root of a seaweed is poorly developed as compared with its thallus and is called the rhizoid or holdfast. In Laminaria, belonging to Phaeophyceae, although the thallus is used for food, the rhizoid is considered an unuseful natural resource. We attempted to detect anti-breast cancer substances from that resource. As a result, a substance having a weak absorptivity to aluminium oxide and Sephadex G-25 was found. According to analysis of the FAB-MS spectra and 1H NMR spectra, the substance was identified as tryptophan, an amino acid. Finally, it was concluded by a chiral column-HPLC method that the tryptophan was the L-form.