7 Useful Chemicals from Coral Reef Organisms

The derivation of chemical can be either from organic or inorganic source. The inorganic chemical is a synthetic derivative of lab experiment, while organic chemicals are extracted from natural source. The natural source in which expert can derivates a chemical is rich. Some of them are derivatives of plants, earth minerals, and some are from minerals. Several of the most beneficial chemicals are from coral reef organisms.

Also read Uses of Organic Chemistry in Medicine

Coral reef organisms are marine species that live under the shelter of coral reef. They can be marine animals or plants. Coral reefs are commonly found in the coastal ocean where many other living organisms make it as their habitat. Those species, when extracted to chemicals, are under study about its holistic benefit to human’s health. What are those useful chemicals from coral reef organisms? Here are the lists of them.

  1. Pseoudopterosin A

General Properties

Pseudopterosin A belongs to diterpene glycoside that comes from the isolated product of gorgian sea whip. Gorgian sea whip is an organism that lives in coral reef ecosystem. Based on the seco-pseudopterosin bicyclic structure, the chemical propose a beneficial effect to human’s health.

Use & Benefits

This extracted chemical is useful as anti inflammatory. With the righ isolating method, pseudopterosin A extracted from gorgian sea whip produces effect of faster regeneration of the cell and soothe the burning pain. It is also beneficial as analgesic that helps to cure body pain. Seeing how this one chemical can be very useful, it proves coral reefs organisms are potential curer for human and can be among common chemicals used in medicine.

  1. Secosteriods

General Properties

Secosteriods is an enzyme that corals produce to protect them from any kind of diseases. It is the shield of protection that ensures the corals to grow well. The secosteriods act as defense mechanism as well as immune system on corals. Because of this, coral can endure despite having sensitive body structure.

Use & Benefits

A study at Florida Atlantic University found secosteriods in coral to be as useful for human as it is for coral. The protective nature can flex well with human’s body. The use of secosteriods can help to treat asthma, arthritis, repsiratory disorder, and inflammatory disorder. Thus, secosteriod is one of useful chemicals from coral organisms.

  1. Bryostatin

Bryostatin is another useful chemical compound from coral reef organism. It belongs to macrolide actones that Bugula neritina produces in the sea. Bugula neritina is one of living organims with coral reef as the habitat. It is a potent modulators of a production of protein kinase C. Recently, the chemical has gained researchers’ interest of the potential holistic benefit from it.

Use & Benefits

Bryostatin is a anti cancer and anti inflammation that is effective to help treat cancer, HIV/AIDS, and alzheimer disease. The U.S National Cancer Institute recently has done research with collecting more than 26,000 pounds of Burgula neritina to be extracted to bryostatin. Hopefully, bryostatin will be a future effective and massive cure for cancer.

  1. Boactive Molecules

General Properties

Another potential curer chemical that coral reef organisms can produce is their bioactive molecules. The bioactive molecules from invertebrates species such as sea sponges, sea hares, and tunicates display a potential benefit as cancer treatment. (Related to Chemicals in Cigarettes that Cause Cancer).

Use & Benefits

The benefits from bioactive molecules are as anti tumor or cancer, antibacterial, and anti viral effects. Research has tested the bioactive molecules to animals and it shows a significant improvement for the sick animals. There may be need further study to further develop the molecules as massive treatment. However, it is a positive sign that the chemical can bring betterment in disease treatment. 

  1. Blue-green Algae Extract

General Properties

Recently, researchers are interested in conducting research related to the use of chemical extracted from blue-green algae. There is no official name for the chemical yet as research is still undergoing. However, the substance in blue-green algae shows positive effects as holistic cure for human’s disease.

Use & Benefits

The extract chemical substance from blue green algae is believed to be able to use to treat small lung cancer cell. It also good for treating anti inflammation as well as prevent tumor growth. Seeing as cancer treatment chemical is still rare, the blue green algae extract is a potential useful chemical from coral reef organisms.

  1. Trabectedin

General Properties

Chemical from coral reef that has been commercialized is trabectedin. It is included in trademark Yondelis product. Trabectedin is a chemical extracted from sea squirts that live under the coral reef. In addition, it comes from a microbial symbiont of tunicate. The processed extract is then named trabectedin.

Use & Benefits

The chemical is used as part of chemoteraphy to treat cancer. It is also good in preventing the growth of malicious tumor or carcinoma before it turns into cancer. The chemical is approved by FDA along with other chemicals and is commercialized as a new way to treat cancer. It proves that chemical derived from coral reef organisms is useful.

To know more about FDA list, read FDA List of Approved Cosmetic Ingredients

  1. Bivalves Derivated Chemical

General Properties

Another chemical that is beneficial is bivalves derivated chemical. Bivalve belongs to mollusk species and is commonly found in coral reef ecosystem. This species produces a substance to prevent advanced cell damage and slow down aging.

Use & Benefits

The use of this bivalve derivated chemical is for anti-aging. Moreover, the generative nature of the substance help to maintain the age of the cell and make sure new cell is produced after a cell is dead. Experts are still perfecting the chemical to be able to make a more definite product out of it.

Coral reef ecosystem is important part of marine life. Thousands of species are living under it. Their diversity is proven to be beneficial for human as well. Therefore, it will be wise for humans to utilize them in a proper and calculated way in order for the both parties to be sustained for long-term longevity. Indeed, there are 7 useful chemicals from coral reef organisms.

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