Structure and origin of two triterpene-derived aromatic hydrocarbons in Messel shale
Abstract
Two triterpene-derived aromatic hydrocarbons of the gammacerane-type have been isolated from Messel shale; structural (MS, NMR) and carbon isotopic data indicate that these biological markers are derived from tetrahymanol from protozoa or purple phototrophic bacteria, and from a bacterial hopanoid.