In this study,a convenient method using multi-step infrared spectroscopy,including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),second derivative infrared spectroscopy(SD-IR) and two-dimensional correlation infrared spectroscopy(2DCOS-IR),was employed to analyze and discriminate ten marine sponges from two classes collected from the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea.Each sponge had an exclusive macroscopic fingerprint.From the IR spectra,it was noted that the main ingredient of calcareous sponges was calcium carbonate,but that of demosponges was proteins.For sponges from the same genus or having highly similar chemical profile(IR spectral profile),SD-IR and 2DCOS-IR were applied to successfully reveal the tiny differences.It was demonstrated that the multi-step infrared spectroscopy was a feasible and objective approach for marine sponge identification.
Jian-Hong GanChang-Hua XuHong-Zhe ZhuFang MaoFan YangQun ZhouSu-Qin Sun
