A red alga Portieria hornemannii (Lyngb.) P. C. Silva 1987 (Gigartinales, Rhizophyllidaceae): A source of fragrance ingredient for perfume industry

Abstract

The application of marine plants such as seagrasses, seaweeds and mangroves for the production of perfumes are relatively less familiar to perfume industry. In the present study, a red seaweed <em>Portieria hornemannii </em>showing strong fragrance, collected from coral reefs of Gulf of Mannar, southeast coast of Tamil Nadu, India is proposed as a potential source of fragrance for perfumes. This species has a distinctive essence of perfume like flowery scents and can give off pleasant fragrance immediately after rubbing or rupture. Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry analysis of methanol extracts of <em>P. Hornemannii </em>revealed the presence of chemical components N'-(3-Phenyl-2-Propenylidene)-2-(4-Chlorophenoxy) acethydrazide and 4, 5-Dichlorotricyclo [4.4.0.0(2,8)] dec-3-ene.