Corbicula Fluminea Research Articles

Proteome changes in muscles, ganglia, and gills in Corbicula fluminea clams exposed to crude oil: Relationship with behavioural disturbances

The use of online remote control for 24/7 behavioural monitoring can play a key role in estimating the environmental status of aquatic ecosystems. Recording the valve activity of bivalve molluscs is a relevant approach in this context. However, a clear understanding of the underlying disturbances associated with behaviour is a key step. In this work, we studied freshwater Asian clams after exposure to crude oil (measured concentration, 167 ± 28 μg·L−1) for three days in a semi-natural environment using outdoor artificial streams. Three complementary approaches to assess and explore disturbances were used: behaviour by high frequency non-invasive (HFNI) valvometry, tissue contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and proteomic analysis. Two tissues were targeted: the pool adductor muscles – retractor pedal muscle – cerebral and visceral ganglia, which is the effector of any valve movement and the gills, which are on the frontline during contamination. The behavioural response was marked by an increase in valve closure-duration, a decrease in valve opening-amplitude and an increase in valve agitation index during opening periods. There was no significant PAH accumulation in the muscle plus nervous ganglia pool, contrary to the situation in the gills, although the latter remained in the low range of data available in literature. Major proteomic changes included (i) a slowdown in metabolic and/or cellular processes in muscles plus ganglia pool associated with minor toxicological effect and (ii) an increase of metabolic and/or cellular processes in gills associated with a greater toxicological effect. The nature of the proteomic changes is discussed in terms of unequal PAH distribution and allows to propose a set of explanatory mechanisms to associate behaviour to underlying physiological changes following oil exposure. First, the first tissues facing contaminated water are the inhalant siphon, the mantle edge and the gills. The routine nervous activity in the visceral ganglia should be modified by nervous information originating from these tissues. Second, the nervous activity in the visceral ganglia could be modified by its own specific contamination. Third, a decrease in nervous activity of the cerebral ganglia close to the mouth, including some kind of narcosis, could contribute to a decrease in visceral ganglia activity via a decrease or blockage of the downward neuromodulation by the cerebro-visceral connective. This whole set of events can explain the decrease of metabolic activity in the adductor muscles, contribute to initiate the catch mechanism and then deeply modify the valve behaviour.

The effects of wet wipe pollution on the Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea (Mollusca: Bivalvia) in the River Thames, London

The aim of the present study was to evaluate “flushable” and “non-flushable” wet wipes as a source of plastic pollution in the River Thames at Hammersmith, London and the impacts they have on the invasive Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea, in this watercourse. Surveys were conducted to assess whether the density of wet wipes along the foreshore upstream of Hammersmith Bridge affected the distribution of C. fluminea. High densities of wet wipes were associated with low numbers of clams and vice versa. The maximum wet wipe density recorded was 143 wipes m−2 and maximum clam density 151 individuals m−2. Clams adjacent to the wet wipe reefs were found to contain synthetic polymers including polypropylene (57%), polyethylene (9%), polyallomer (8%), nylon (8%) and polyester (3%). Some of these polymers may have originated from the wet wipe reefs.

Environmentally relevant concentrations of bifenthrin induce changes in behaviour, biomarkers, histological characteristics, and the transcriptome in Corbicula fluminea

Bifenthrin (BF) is an insecticide that is commonly used to control agricultural and domestic pests and is widespread in aquatic environments. Although previous studies have found that BF is toxic to aquatic organisms, such a comprehensive study of the mechanism of toxic effects in bivalves is not common. In this study, to assess the toxic effects of BF on bivalves, adult Corbicula fluminea (C. fluminea) were exposed to 0, 1, 5, and 25 μg/L BF for 15 days. Transcriptome analysis revealed that BF exposure significantly altered the expression of genes involved in detoxification, antioxidation, and metabolism. Moreover, the ROS content and GST activity at 25 μg/L treatments were significantly increased (p < 0.05), and significant increases of MDA concentration and CAT activity were observed at 5 and 25 μg/L treatments (p < 0.05). However, AChE activity was markedly inhibited at 25 μg/L treatments (p < 0.05). In addition, vacuolation in the digestive tubules and the hemolytic infiltration of connective tissue were observed at all treatments, and the degeneration of the digestive tubule was observed at 5 and 25 μg/L treatments. In the behavioural assay, the siphoning behaviour of C. fluminea was significantly inhibited at 25 μg/L treatments (p < 0.05), whereas no significant change in burrowing behaviour was observed. Our findings suggested that BF exposure caused changes in detoxification, antioxidation, and metabolism pathways, biomarker activity or concentrations and histopathological characteristics, resulting in changes in behaviour. Therefore, our findings provide a basis for further evaluation of the toxicity of pyrethroid insecticides in bivalves.

Patterns of Distribution of Bivalve Populations in a Mediterranean Temporary River

In the south of the Iberian Peninsula, many rivers are intermittent, a state most likely to be exacerbated by climate change, strongly affecting river biota. An additional challenge for native biota in this area is the arrival of new species, frequently aided by humans, and bivalves are particularly at risk. Here we assessed whether the native (Unio delphinus) and invasive (Corbicula fluminea) bivalves differed in habitat use. To address this question, we sampled populations of both species in six isolated permanent pools in the same river during summer in three consecutive years. U. delphinus occurred in all pools, while C. fluminea occurred only in the two most downstream pools. U. delphinus, but not C. fluminea, was found preferentially in patches under riparian vegetation cover. Both species were found in similar sediment types (coarse and fine gravel respectively). Although U. delphinus was present in all pools, recruitment was detected only in 2016, in one pool. We concluded that both species have the potential to compete for space, but a well-developed riparian vegetation cover may provide U. delphinus some advantage against C. fluminea.

High Quality of Bacterial DNA Extraction from Corbicula fluminea Tissue in Kelantan

Corbicula fluminea served as a popular traditional food in Kelantan, Malaysia. This clam is highly consumed by the local people from the last decade. However, there is lack of the study that obtain high quality of bacterial metagenome deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction from C. fluminea. Improper DNA extraction protocol always fails to extract a high integrity of bacterial DNA bands. This study compares the effectiveness and efficiency of conventional cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) protocol, a commercial kit and modified CTAB protocol for bacterial DNA extraction from the soft tissue surface of raw C. fluminea. The instruments used to examine the quality of the extracted bacterial DNA were DeNovix DS-11 spectrophotometer, gel electrophoresis machine and UV transilluminator. The results showed that the bacterial DNA extracted from modified CTAB protocol the highest purity and integrity with the A₂₆₀/A₂₈₀ ratio of 1.92 ± 0.01 as well as the DNA band with minimum smear. This conclude that modified CTAB protocol is the best among the three extraction protocols for the bacterial extraction from the C. fluminea.

Combining bivalve (Corbicula fluminea) and filter-feeding fish (Aristichthys nobilis) enhances the bioremediation effect of algae: An outdoor mesocosm study

In outdoor mesocosms, we experimentally studied the effect of combining two native filter feeders, bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) and Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea), to control nuisance cyanobacterial blooms. Four treatments – clam-only, fish-only, combined and controls – were used. In combination, bighead carp (80 g m−3) and Asian clam (260 g m−2), had a remarkable controlling effect on phytoplankton biomass and improved water quality. By the end of the experiment, the chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration of the combined group was below 5 μg L−1 compared with 36 μg L−1 in the clam-only treatments and 31 μg L−1 in the controls, whereas Chl a in the fish-only group had increased to 211 μg L−1. Large-sized algae (Microcystis sp.) dominated in the control group and the clam-only group, whereas small-sized algae (Actinastrum hantzschii and Clamydomonas globose) dominated in the fish-only group. The concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in the water column were significantly reduced by clam stocking, regardless of the presence of fish. A 24-h laboratory experiment was conducted to verify whether the excrements produced by clams filtering small-sized algae could be eaten by bighead carp. At the end of the experiment, the density of Scenedesmus obliquus had decreased significantly in the clam-present mesocosms, and the gut fullness index of bighead carp was significantly higher in the clam-present mesocosms than when clams were absent. Our results show that, under the selected experimental conditions and densities, water clarity improved when bighead carp and Asian clam occurred together, whereas Chl a concentrations and algae biomass increased in the fish-only mesocosms; in the clam-only mesocosms no significant effects were observed. We suggest that the combination of filter-feeding fish and clams may enhance water clarity and it may therefore potentially be a useful restoration tool.

Effects of Bisphenol A on the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and the clam Corbicula fluminea.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used throughout the world and it could enter aquatic ecosystems causing harmful effects on humans, animals and plants. The current study relies on the investigation of the toxicity of this emerging pollutant on two freshwater species from different trophic levels: the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and the clam Corbicula fluminea. After 96h of exposure to several concentrations of BPA, the growth of C. reinhardtii was affected, being the 96 h-EC50 value for growth 30mgL-1. The toxicity and bioaccumulation of 30mgL-1 BPA in microalgae after 24h of exposure were studied. Several cytotoxicity biomarkers such as vitality, oxidative stress and cytoplasmic membrane potential were altered in exposed cells and microalgae accumulated 0.16pg BPA cell-1. Regarding C. fluminea, four treatments were established: control without BPA (C); BPA in the food (microalgae pre-exposed for 24h to 30mgL-1) (M); BPA in the water (7.5mgL-1) (W); BPA in both food and water (M+W). After one month of exposure, treated bivalves showed a significantly decrease in the filtration rate and increased lipid peroxidation levels, indicating fitness reduction and oxidative damage. Furthermore, the activities of catalase, glutathione reductase, Se-dependent and total glutathione peroxidase enzymes increased significantly in W and M+W treatments with respect to the control. Clams of the M+W treatment were the most affected, indicating that the little amount of BPA bioaccumulated by microalgae could increase the damage. Emerging contaminants may accumulate in several organisms, such as microalgae, and could have negative impacts on ecosystems.

Growth Performance of Asian Clam Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774) Fed with Different Feeds in Laboratory Scale Culture System

Growth Performance of Asian Clam Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774) Fed with Different Feeds in Laboratory Scale Culture System

Rapid separation and quantification of self-assembled nanoparticles from a liquid food system by capillary zone electrophoresis

Food processing generates a large amount of self-assembled colloidal nanoparticles (NPs), which have defined structures and directly interact with macrophages. Their promising potential as a new source of functional NPs and a key to elucidate food-body interactions prompt the importance of the method development. This study attempts to apply capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) in studying self-assembled nanoparticles in a real liquid food system of freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) soup, a popular delicacy in East Asia with proven hepatoprotective effects. The soup sample was satisfactorily separated into one nanoparticle fraction and multiple molecular fractions within five minutes by the single and rapid CZE analysis, which was of high repeatability (peak area RSD < 4%, migration time RSD < 1%) and accurate quantification with a linear area-number relationship in the range of (7.5–110) × 1011 particles/mL (R2 > 0.99). Therefore, CZE analysis can be an efficient tool for the investigation of self-assembled nanoparticles in real liquid food systems.

N-doped titanium dioxide for mixture of parabens degradation based on ozone action and toxicity evaluation: Precursor of nitrogen and titanium effect

Degradation of a mixture of five parabens was evaluated using photocatalytic oxidation, photolytic ozonation and photocatalytic ozonation, being applied UVA radiation and N-TiO2 doped catalysts. Photocatalytic oxidation was not able to eliminate parabens, achieving less than 10 % of removal. The use of ozone and UVA radiation resulted in total contaminants abatement with a transferred ozone dose (TOD) of 46.2 mg L−1. Photocatalytic ozonation also totally removed parabens but with a considerable reduction of TOD required along with higher COD and TOC removals, up to 35.7 % and 34.1 %, respectively, for the best catalyst (ammonia-doped 10 % N-TiO2). Toxicity tests were conducted using three different species. Lepidium sativum seeds had higher growth indexes (GIs) when exposed to solutions treated by photocatalytic ozonation reactions. Nevertheless, Allivibrio fischeri and Corbicula fluminea demonstrated lower toxic responses to photolytic ozonation treated solution which may be related with the different by-products formed.

Effects of acute ammonia toxicity on oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis in digestive gland and gill of Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea)

Ammonia is one of the major pollutants associated with the main river basins due to ammonification of uneaten food and animal excretion, which usually brings detrimental health effects to aquatic invertebrate. However, the mechanisms of ammonia toxicity in aquatic invertebrate have rarely been reported. In this study, C. fluminea was exposed to different levels of ammonia (control group, 10 mg/L, and 25 mg/L) for 24 h and 48 h, and digestive gland and gill were collected to explore toxic effects on oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis under ammonia stress. The results showed that ammonia poisoning could increase the activity of oxidative stress enzyme (SOD and CAT), inducing differentially expressed genes (DRAM2, GADD45, P53, BAX, BCL2, CASP8, CASP9, CASP3, HSP70 and HSP90) and different cytokines (IL-1 beta, IL-8, IL-17 and TNF-alpha) of DNA damage and apoptosis. The difference of toxic effects induced by ammonia among digestive gland and gill were also observed by real-time PCR and TUNEL staining. Our results will be helpful to understand the mechanism of aquatic toxicology induced by ammonia in C. fluminea.

Identification of protein-polysaccharide nanoparticles carrying hepatoprotective bioactives in freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea Muller) soup

Bioactives can impact food function either by their dosage or by their forms of dispersion, though the latter remains mostly neglected. Here we report the incidental nanoparticles (iNPs) carrying hepatoprotective bioactives identified in freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea Muller) soup, which is a folk remedy for liver conditions in East Asia. The soup was fractionated into two iNPs containing fractions with high yield (95.8%) in 35 min by gel chromatography. With hydrodynamic diameter (Dh) range from 40 nm to 149 nm, iNPs were mainly constituted by carbohydrates and proteins. Notably, the majority of bioactives, e.g. taurine (63.2%), ornithine (68.1%) and phytosterols (60.0%), was determined to be carried by the iNPs. It suggested a possible mechanism of elevated delivery and absorption of bioactives, explaining why the clam soup can work at the bioactive concentrations way lower than the individual compound. These iNPs have great potential to be developed into a functional food with most potent nutraceutical effects.

Water column nutrient concentrations are related to excretion by benthic invertebrates in Lake Taihu, China

Internal release of nutrients is an important contributor to the nutrient dynamics in shallow eutrophic lakes. Zoobenthic organisms may contribute to this release by excreting nutrients to the overlaying water. Based on experiments and using results from previous experimental studies as well as field monitoring density data from 2007 to 2017, we calculated the annual and seasonal nutrient excretions of the two most common macroinvertebrates (Corbicula fluminea and Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri) in Lake Taihu, China. We compared these rates with the concentrations of NH4–N, total nitrogen (TN), PO4–P and total phosphorus (TP) in the lake water as well as with previous results of release rates from undisturbed sediments collected in the lake. The spatial distribution of nutrient excretion by the two invertebrate species varied markedly among sites and years. Regression analyses revealed significant relationships between total nutrient excretions by these two species and the concentrations of NH4–N, TN, PO4–P and TP in the lake, but with seasonal differences. The relationship was overall strongest in winter, followed by spring, and weakest in summer and autumn. The flux of NH4–N and PO4–P released by the two macroinvertebrate species were equivalent to as much as 50% and 66%, respectively, of the sediment release recorded in lab experiments under undisturbed conditions; however, the percentages would be somewhat lower under field conditions where the sediment is subjected to frequent wind-induced resuspension and fish disturbance, enhancing the release rates. The release declined during the study period due to a reduction in the density of macroinvertebrates, perhaps indicating increasing stocking of fish since 2007. Our results indicate that benthic invertebrates are important contributor to the internal loading in shallow eutrophic lakes.

Proximate analysis and fatty acid of Corbicula fluminea (C. fluminea) tissue in Kelantan, Malaysia.

Corbicula fluminea (C. fluminea) is one of the mollusc species commonly eaten as a popular snack in Kelantan, Malaysia. This species contributes to the local economic activity. However, the handling process of C. fluminea at different processing stages (raw, smoke and selling stages) is believed to have affected the nutritional value in their soft tissue. Hence, this study aims to provide information about the chemical content (moisture, crude fat, ash, crude protein and carbohydrate) of C. fluminea and fatty acid of smoked C. fluminea at different processing stages. Samples were collected from Pasir Mas and Tumpat, Kelantan, Malaysia. The chemical content analysis was carried out based on the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) standard procedures. The results have indicated that moisture (80.93 ± 0.37%) and crude fat (10.82 ± 0.21%) in C. fluminea were significantly higher (p < 0.05) at the raw stage. On the other hand, the ash (2.09 ± 0.03%) and crude protein (9.45 ± 0.42%) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) at smoked stage. Meanwhile, carbohydrate (3.39 ± 0.49%) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) at the selling stage. The fatty acid percentage of smoked C. fluminea indicates that the total saturated fatty acid (SFA) content was higher than the total of both monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The obtained data indicates that the composition percentage of omega-6 (n-6) in PUFA is significantly greater than omega-3 (n-3). The n-6/n-3 ratio of smoked C. fluminea is 2.95-3.11 and therefore can be considered as a healthy diet. The findings of this study can improve consumers' health through sufficient nutrient consumption and also provide economic benefits by increasing sellers' income in Kelantan.

Radical scavenging activities of peptide from Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea) and its protective effects on oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide in HepG2 cells.

The soft part of Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea) was hydrolyzed using trypsin and the hydrolysates were separated by ultrafiltration using the membrane with molecular weight cutoff of 10 and 5kDa. Three fractions (F10000, F10000-5000, and F5000) were obtained. The F5000 showed the strongest scavenging abilities to DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radicals, and was further fractionated into four fractions (component I, II, III, and IV) by gel chromatography. The protective effects of these components on oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) in HepG2 cells were evaluated. Meanwhile, component I separated from F5000 had more positive effects on increasing the activity of catalase, decreasing lipid peroxidation, inhibiting H2 O2 -induced apoptosis, and higher yield. The component I was further separated using anion exchange chromatography and reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and the peptide sequence of Lys-Gly-Pro-Ala- Pro-Phe-Tyr-Pro-Leu was identified by mass with molecular weight of 988.3Da. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Asian clam (C. fluminea) is used for liver protection in traditional Chinese medicine. The present study investigated the radical scavenging activity of the hydrolysates from C. fluminea and the protective effects of the hydrolysate fractions on oxidative damage induced by H2 O2 in HepG2 cells. In addition, a peptide was purified from the hydrolysate and the amino acid sequence of it was identified. Although chemical antioxidant has some side effects on health, the peptide with antioxidant activity obtained from C. fluminea would have more extensive application in food and nutraceutical.

Effect of bioturbation on contaminated sediment deposited over remediated sediment

A challenge to all sediment remediation technologies is the continued influx of contaminants from uncontrolled sources following remediation. However, contaminants deposited on sediments remediated with chemically active sequestering agents may be affected by the sequestering agents resulting in reduced impacts. We deposited sediment contaminated with As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn over clean sediment capped with the sequestering agent, apatite, and clean uncapped sediment in laboratory mesocosms to simulate the recontamination of remediated sediment by influxes of particle-bound contaminants. Cap effectiveness was assessed in the presence and absence of the bioturbating organism Corbicula fluminea based on metal fluxes to sediment pore water and surface water, the distribution of mobile contaminants in sediment and surface water measured by Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films, and contaminant bioaccumulation by Lumbriculus variegatus. The metal sequestration capacity of apatite caps was unaffected or improved by bioturbation for all elements except As. Effects with uncapped sediment were metal specific including reductions in the bioavailable pool for Ni, Cd, and to a lesser extent, Pb, increases in the bioavailable pool for As and Cu, and little effect for Zn. It is likely that the reductions observed for some metals in uncapped, clean sediment were the result of burial and dilution of contaminated sediment combined with chemical processes such as sequestration by minerals and other compounds. These results indicate that apatite caps can control recontamination by metals regardless of bioturbation but point to the complexity of sediment recontamination and the need for further study of this problem.

Testing the bioaccumulation of manufactured nanomaterials in the freshwater bivalveCorbicula flumineausing a new test method

The elucidation of bioavailability, uptake and elimination as well as accumulation of the test items was possible on the level of total and particle concentrations for the whole soft body as well as the single tissue compartments.

Survival durations and behavioural adjustments of two freshwater bivalves (Unio terminalis, Unionida and Corbicula fluminea, Venerida) under two emersion conditions

Freshwater bivalves in shallow waters are often exposed to extended periods of drought and are highly affected due to their limited mobility. Their adaptation to emersion is a key factor for survival, particularly during human-made unnatural water regime fluctuations or short-term droughts. In the current study, survival durations of two freshwater bivalve species (Unio terminalis, Unionidae and Corbicula fluminea, Cyrenidae) were tested under two experimental emersion conditions (presence of water-saturated sediment and without sediment). U. terminalis' mean survival duration more than doubled in the water-saturated sediment treatment (992 h) compared to treatment without sediment (448 h). For C. fluminea, the mean survival duration in the water-saturated sediment treatment (278 h) was over 50% longer than that recorded in the treatment without sediment (174 h). Both species probably made behavioral adjustments according to the environmental conditions to respond to the presence of the water-saturated sediment and maximized their survival chances. In general, U. terminalis survived significantly longer than C. fluminea in both treatments. No effects of size on survival were observed for either species.

Co-exposure to foodborne and waterborne ZnO nanoparticles in aquatic sediment environments enhances DNA damage and stress gene expression in freshwater Asian clam Corbicula fluminea

Co-exposure to foodborne and waterborne ZnO nanoparticles in aquatic sediment environments increases mortality, Zn bioaccumulation, stress genes expression, and DNA damage in freshwater Asian clam Corbicula fluminea.

Comparative evaluation of proximate compositions and taste attributes of three Asian hard clams (Meretrix meretrix) with different shell colors

ABSTRACT Meretrix meretrix with three shell colors (mottled shell, red shell, yellow shell) were analyzed for nutritive and taste attributes. Additionally, the influence of cooking on the taste active components was also evaluated. The three kinds of clams had higher crude protein contents. Alanine, glutamic acid, arginine, 5ʹ-adenosine monophosphate, Cl−, Na+, K+ and PO4 3- were the major taste compounds of Meretrix meretrix. In addition to PO4 3-, the contents of all major taste compounds decreased after cooking. Among raw samples, red shell clams had the highest value of equivalent umami concentration (EUC) and contents of Cl− and Na+, along with the lowest content of PO4 3-. In cooked samples, the value of EUC and the contents of Na+ and K+ in red shell clams were higher than those of yellow shell clams and lower than those of mottled shell clams. Furthermore, the contents of PO4 3- in red and yellow shell clams were higher than that in mottled shell clams. However, there were no significant differences in the amount of K+ among different raw samples and the amount of Cl− among different cooked samples.