LC/MS-based metabolomics guided isolation of new polyacetylenes ficiformylenes A and B, from the mediterranean Marine sponge Petrosia ficiformis

LC/MS-based metabolite profiles of closely related sponge samples collected from Italy and Japan were analysed. Characteristic ion peaks observed in the MS data were used to guide the search for new metabolites, leading to the isolation of two new compounds, ficiformylenes A (1) and B (2). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR and ESIMS/MS experiments, as well as ESIMS analysis of the products obtained by ozonolysis. These results demonstrate the utility of LC/MS-based comparative analysis of marine sponge secondary metabolites as an effective strategy for the discovery of novel natural products.