Fasciola gigantica : Eggshell solubility and permeability properties

P Balasubramanian

doi:10.17485/ijst/2010/v3i1.13

Abstract

The cross-linkages contained within the proteinaceous opercular cement seal holding the egg operculum of Fasciola gigantica solubilised in 0.1N saturated NaOH, concentrated HCl, H2SO4 and H3PO4, whereas the quinone tanned eggshell solubilised only in concentrated HNO3 and NaOCl. In TCA, H3BO3 and CH3COOH, the cross linkages of proteinaceous opercular cement and the quinone tanned eggshell remained unaffected. This study has shown that the cross linkages of the opercular cement, the operculum and the quinone-tanned eggshell differ in their permeability and solubility properties. Keywords: Fasciola gigantica, eggshell, permeability and solubility in acids, alkali and chemicals

Highlights

Materials and methodsThe formation of the eggshell in helminths has Isolation of Fasciola gigantica eggs fascinated and challenged parasitologists (Smyth &F. gigantica were removed from condemned freshClegg, 1959; Ramalingam, 1972, 1973; Cordingley, buffalo livers at the Perambur slaughter house, Chennai, 1987)
There were no apparent changes in the morphology in 0.1 N and saturated sodium hydroxide (NaOH), of egg of F. gigantica treated with Ammonium hydroxide, concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulphuric acid 1% Sodium nitroprusside in 30% Ammonium hydroxide (H2SO4) and orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4), the, Saturated Boric acid and βoperculum of the eggs were opened and their contents mercaptoethanol and these observation may indicate the were released (Fig. 1b-d, 2a-c)
The opercular cement dissolved in strong mineral acids such as Hydrochloric acid (HCl), H2SO4 and H3PO4 and alkalis such as NaOH, while the rest of the eggshell remained unaffected indicating that the quinone crosslinkages were not disturbed or altered

Summary

Introduction

Materials and methodsThe formation of the eggshell in helminths has Isolation of Fasciola gigantica eggs fascinated and challenged parasitologists (Smyth &F. gigantica were removed from condemned freshClegg, 1959; Ramalingam, 1972, 1973; Cordingley, buffalo livers at the Perambur slaughter house, Chennai, 1987). Seal of operculum breaks open – rest of the quinone tanned eggshell remains normal, granules dark

Results

Conclusion