Studies on a Piscicidal Constituent of Hura crepitans

Part I. Isolation and Characterization of Huratoxin and its Piscicidal Activity

Abstract

Huratoxin, [α]²⁸_D+55.1 (c=2.69, CHC1₃), a piscicidal constituent, was isolated from the sap of Hura crepitans. It was elucidated to have the formula C₃₄H₄₈O₈ and contain a 1, 3-trideca-dienyl, an isopropenyl, a secondary methyl, an α-methylcyclopentenone, an epoxide and three hydroxyl (primary, secondary and tertiary) groups. Its piscicidal activity was evaluated to be about 10 times that of rotenone.