Isolation studies with Cypridina luciferin.

Abstract An attempt to isolate Cypridina luciferin in pure form has been made. The most promising approaches have involved the use of countercurrent distribution and membrane diffusion. Although the final objective was not realized because of instability and lack of material, the experiments strongly indicated the active chromophore to be a low molecular weight substance but not of peptide nature. However, it appeared to be tightly bound to peptide material of unusual properties. Attempts to achieve stabilization by benzoylation resulted in a more complicated product. The use of certain antioxidants gave partial stabilization.