Abstract

The β-dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) contents of 46 macroalgal species from the tropical island of Hainan, People's Republic of China, were determined by gas-liquid phase chromatography. In almost all investigated green, brown and red algal species, DMSP could be detected. The highest concentrations were measured in members of the green algal order Ulvales, and these were similar to those of isolates from polar and temperate regions. The tropical Ulvales from Hainan are comparable in their DMSP contents with temperate species of this order. Polar species, in contrast, exhibit significantly higher DMSP values.