The concentrations of antioxidant compounds in the hepatopancreas, the gills and muscle of some freshwater crayfish species

Abstract

We examined the concentrations of vitamin E (vit E), sulphydryl groups (-SH), total protein and protein electrophoretic profiles in the hepatopancreas, the gills and muscle of three freshwater crayfish species: Noble crayfish (Astacus astacus), stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium) and spiny cheek crayfish (Orconectes limosus). Vit E concentration in the hepatopancreas of O. limosus was lower compared to A. astacus, while in the gills of O. limosus it was lower compared to both A. astacus and A. torrentium. The concentration of -SH groups was lower in the hepatopancreas of A. astacus compared to A. torrentium and O. limosus. In the gills of A. astacus and A. torrentium the concentration of -SH groups was higher compared to O. limosus. Protein concentration was higher in the hepatopancreas of A. torrentium compared to A. astacus and O. limosus. A lower protein concentration in muscle of A. torrentium was found compared to O. limosus and A. astacus. Electrophoretic analysis of proteins indicated species and tissue specifities between investigated crayfish species. Our results represent the first study of its kind and provide the basis for future studies that will consider our reported parameters as potential biomarkers for biomonitoring of basic environmental conditions and some anthropogenic impacts.