Glycogen degradation and end products of anaerobic metabolism in the fresh water bivalveAnodonta cygnea

Abstract

1. Glycogen levels and the production of metabolic end products by the fresh water bivalveAnodonta cygena were determined under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. 2. The glycogen content accounts for 5–14% of the dry weight. After 30 hours of aerobic or anaerobic incubation no significant glycogen breakdown could be observed. 3. L-lactate and alanine seem to be only initial end products, whereas succinate increases continuously during the first 15 hours. 4. Anodonta cygnea also accumulates volatile fatty acids during anaerobiosis. After 30 hours of anoxia 30.1 and 46.0 μmol g−1 dry weight of acetate and propionate respectively are formed. In fact the volatile fatty acids account together for about 75% of the total accumulated end products.