Abstract
Exposure of the tropical arcid blood clam Anadara granosa L., collected from Bombay waters in 1986, to sublethal concentrations of naphthalene (Nap) (5, 10 and 15μg Nap ml-1), induced various changes in vital biochemical systems. The condition index (CI) remained largely within the control range, although tissue water content after 96h exposure increased significantly (p<0.001). Glycogen levels appreciably decreased, both in muscles (p<0.001) and digestive glands (p<0.01). AMP activity remained unaltered irrespective of the ambient Nap concentration. ADP levels decreased by more than 20% and ATP levels also decreased significantly (p≪0.001) by more than 60% with increases in ambient Nap levels from 5 to 15 μg ml-1. Lysosomal marker enzymes-arylsulphatase and acid phosphatase-showed various changes. Levels of the former were 10 to 17 times higher than the latter. Total and free arylsulphatase activity in hepatic cells decreased on exposure of clams to 5 and 10μg Nap ml-1, but not significantly. However, it was significantly inhibited (p<0.001) towards the upper limits of exposure concentration. The same was also true of acid phosphatase activity. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH2) oxidation of lipochrome showed a dramatic decrease in activity in the range of 37 to 88% over controls with increasing Nap from 5 to 15 μg ml-1. Fatty acids also exhibited significant changes in composition with a decrease in polyunsaturated acids and an increase in certain saturated fatty acids. Protein and carbohydrate levels increased significantly (p<0.001) towards upper limits of exposure concentration. Pyruvic acid levels increased significantly by 2 to 6 times over controls on exposure to 5 to 15 μg Nap ml-1. Explanation of these changes is attempted in terms of the glycolysis pathway involving pyruvic acid oxidation and oxidative phosphorylation in the electron transport system.
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Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe
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Patel, B., Eapen, J.T. Biochemical evaluation of naphthalene intoxication in the tropical acrid blood clam Anadara granosa . Mar. Biol. 103, 203–209 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00543348
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00543348