Halogenating activity in an arctic population of brown macroalga Laminaria saccharina (L) Lamour.

Several sections of the thallus of an arctic population of brown macroalga Laminaria saccharina (L.) Lamour. were collected during April-June 1995, in the Kongsfjorden area at Ny-Aalesund, Svalbard and investigated for halogenating activity. Brominating activity was found in the blade only, while iodinating activity occurred in the whole thallus of L. saccharina. The highest activity occurred in the blade, while lower activity was detected in the stipe and holdfast. No evidence for chlorinating activity was found. Halogenating activity, which clearly depends on temperature, showed increasing rates with increasing temperatures between 5 and 35 degrees C.