Abstract

The invention refers to a method for obtaining polyhydroxy 1,4-naphthoquinones from live sea urchins, comprising the following steps: a) injecting a KCl saline solution into the perivisceral coeloma of female sea urchins to induce spawning; b) collecting the eggs, and grinding them into a fine powder; c) mixing said fine powder with an alcoholic solvent; d) separating the alcohol supernatant comprising the polyhydroxy 1,4-naphthoquinones in solution. Where the polyhydroxy 1,4-naphthoquinones are selected from: echinochrome A (6-ethyl-2,3,5,7,8-pentahydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), spinochrome A (2-acetyl-3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), spinochrome B (2,3,5,7-tetrahydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), spinochrome C (2-acetyl-3,5,6,7,8-pentahydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), spinochrome D (2,3,5,6,8-pentahydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), spinochrome E (hexahydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) or mixtures thereof.