Amino acid metabolism of Astacus leptodactylus esch.—I. Composition of the free and protein-bound amino acids in different organs of the crayfish

Abstract

1.1. The abdominal muscle, antennal gland, haemolymph, hepatopancreas and ovary of Astacus leptodactylus were analysed for free and protein-bound amino acids.2.2. The free amino acid content was highest in the abdominal muscle and lowest in the haemolymph.3.3. The most abundant free amino acids were glycine, arginine and alanine. Together they accounted for up to 38 mole % in the hepatopancreas and up to 73 mole % in the abdominal muscle of the total amount.4.4. The amino acid pattern after hydrolysis was less heterogeneous than the free amino acid pattern. Aspartic and glutamic acids were the most abundant amino acids.