Pila Globosa Research Articles

Effect of Heavy Metal Cadmium on Total Protein Content, Amino Acid Content and Alanine Aminotransferase Activity of Freshwater Snail, Pila globosa

Effect of Heavy Metal Cadmium on Total Protein Content, Amino Acid Content and Alanine Aminotransferase Activity of Freshwater Snail, Pila globosa

Exposure of composite tannery effluent on snail, Pila globosa: A comparative assessment of toxic impacts of the untreated and membrane treated effluents

Effluent from tannery industries can significantly affect the aquatic environment due to the presence of a variety of recalcitrant components. The present study focuses on a comparative assessment of the toxic impacts of an untreated tannery effluent and membrane treated effluents using snail, Pila globosa as an aquatic model. Composite tannery effluent collected from a common effluent treatment plant was selected as the untreated effluent. To investigate the effect of treated effluents on the aquatic organism the effluent was treated by two ways, viz. a single stage microfiltration (MF) using ceramic membrane and a two-step process involving MF followed by reverse osmosis (RO). The whole body tissue, gonad and mantle of P. globosa were subjected to enzyme assays like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-GPx), glutathione S- transferase (GST), etc. for assessing toxic impact. Changes in the biochemical parameters like protein, carbohydrate and amino acid were observed including histological studies of gonad and mantle tissue upon treatment with tannery effluents. To examine potential DNA damage due to the exposure of the effluent, comet assay was conducted.The study revealed that with an exposure to the untreated effluent, activity of the antioxidant enzymes increased significantly while the protein and carbohydrate content reduced largely in the whole body tissue, gonad as well as mantle tissues of P. globosa. Histological study indicated considerable damage in the gonad and mantle tissues following exposure to the untreated effluent. Comet assay using hemolymph of P. globosa following exposure to tannery effluent, showed significant genotoxicity.Interestingly, compared to the untreated effluent, damaging effect was reduced in molluscs tissues when exposed to MF treated effluent and even lesser when exposed to MF+RO treated effluent. Apart from the reduced activities of oxidative stress enzymes, the protein, amino acid and carbohydrate content of molluscs exposed to both of the treated effluent were found close to that of control. Comet assay revealed no damage in the DNA for MF and MF+RO treated effluent indicating that the membrane based treatment procedure restores environmental condition to control level.

Immunological resilience of a freshwater Indian mollusc during aestivation and starvation

Freshwater snail, Pila globosa is an edible mollusc which bears commercial and ethnomedicinal significance. During environmental aridity, P. globosa aestivates deep into the soil for four to five months. We report comparative analyses of immune associated parameters in the hemocytes and hemolymph of P. globosa during activity, experimental aestivation, arousal and starvation. Hemocyte is a major cellular component of molluscan immune system. They are functionally involved in phagocytosis, cytotoxicity, antioxidative defence and enzyme mediated lysosomal pathogen degradation. Determination of the total hemocyte count, phagocytosis, generation of superoxide anion, nitric oxide and activities of phenoloxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, phosphatases and protein content in the hemocytes and hemolymph were carried out during the mentioned phases of life process of P. globosa. Total count of hemocyte was recorded to be higher during aestivation, arousal and starvation in comparison to the phase of activity. Phagocytic response of hemocytes of P. globosa was highest during phase of activation. P. globosa exhibited high level of generation of superoxide anion and nitric oxide in the hemocytes during aestivation. Activity of phenoloxidase was recorded to be highest in the hemocytes and hemolymph among the starved individuals. Activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were highest in the hemocytes of starved P. globosa. Glutathione-S-transferase activity was estimated to be high in the hemolymph and hemocytes of active specimens. Aestivation and starvation exhibited modulation in the activities of phosphatases in the hemocytes and hemolymph. Total content of protein of hemocytes was recorded to be low in the aestivated, aroused and starved P. globosa in comparison to the active ones. Nonuniform status of the immune parameters of hemocytes and hemolymph during activity, aestivation, arousal and starvation was indicative to a status of immunological resilience of the species to ensure adaptation during different physiological and environmental conditions.

Isolation and characterization of the collagenase from hepatopancreas of land snail, Pila globosa

Isolation and characterization of the collagenase from hepatopancreas of land snail, Pila globosa

Value-chain analysis of freshwater apple snail (Pila globosa) used for on-farm feeds in the freshwater prawn farming sector in Bangladesh

Growth of the freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) sector in Bangladesh since 1970s has been supported by natural availability of freshwater apple snail (Pila globosa), used for on-farm prawn feeds. The present study identified the current configuration of the value-chain benefits and constraints of freshwater apple snail in south-western Bangladesh in August 2011, based upon Rapid Market Appraisal (RMA) approach. The site of snail collection was Chanda Beel in Gopalganj district, while trading, processing and final consumption was represented by Rayer Mahal Bazar in Khulna district. There were seven different nodes recognized throughout the value chain. Snail marketing was identified as a seasonal business and took place during June to November each year. Between 1995 and 2011 the price of whole snail, meat and shell has increased by 800%, 325% and 315%, respectively. The abundance of snail had been reduced and its demand has increased due to the expansion of the prawn farming industry. Prawn farmers preferred snail meat due to its’ low cost (US$ 0.21 kg-1) as a source of protein compared to commercial prawn feed (US$ 0.41 kg-1). Snail harvesting and processing were considered as additional livelihood options for the poor, where 60% of the labour involved in snail harvesting were women, and 95% the de-shelling workforce. Induced breeding in captivity and sustainable management in nature as well as development of commercial production of apple snails might reduce the pressure on ecosystems and positively contributed to the continued expansion of freshwater prawn farming in Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v3i2.17840 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 3 (2): 22-30, December, 2013

Biomonitoring of Fresh Water of Loktak Lake, India

The fresh water Mollusca (Scientific name; Pila globosa) was collected from nine different stations of Loktak lake to investigate the elemental profile in the tissue of it as it can be used as biomonitor of the pollution of water. As the Gastropoda family is a feeder filter, it is very useful to examine the trace elements as well as toxic elements in the environment where it survives. The elements detected in the samples are Mg, Al, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, Sr and the elemental concentrations were compared with FAO limits to check their toxic levels. The elements detected so far are the time integral of their concentration so, that are several orders of magnitude above ambient water concentrations. The analysis of the elements was done with the help of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) for its quick and multi-elemental detection capability. Keywords: Pila globosa , Biomonitoring, Loktak lake, Trace elements, EDXRF

Purification, Spectroscopic Characterization and o-Diphenoloxidase Activity of Hemocyanin from a Freshwater Gastropod: Pila globosa

Hemocyanins are multi-subunit oxygen carrier proteins, found in select species of arthropoda and mollusca. Here, we have purified native hemocyanin from Pila globosa, a freshwater gastropod, verified using mass spectrometry and determined its molecular weight, secondary structure and the spectral properties, using Ultraviolet/visible, Fourier transform infra-red and Circular dichroism spectroscopy. Our results reveal the oligomeric and glycosylated nature of the protein, comprising of 400 kDa subunits, organized predominantly into a thermo-stable, alpha-helical conformation. Further, biochemical assays confirm catecholoxidase-like activity in hemocyanin, which has been used to develop a first-generation optical sensor, for the detection of phenols.

A comparative analyses of morphological variations, phagocytosis and generation of cytotoxic agents in flow cytometrically isolated hemocytes of Indian molluscs

A comparative analyses of hemocytes of molluscs, Pila globosa (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia), Bellamya bengalensis (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia) and Lamellidens marginalis (Bivalvia: Eulamellibranchiata) were carried out for morphotype and subpopulation identification, analyses of phagocytosis and generation of cytotoxic agents. Flow cytometry and microscopic analyses of hemocytes revealed the existence of agranulocytes (blast like cells, round hyalinocytes and spindle hyalinocytes), semigranulocytes (semigranular asterocytes and round semigranulocytes) and granulocytes (round granulocytes, spindle granulocytes and granular asterocytes) as three morphotypes. In P. globosa, granulocytes and semigranulocytes and in B. bengalensis granulocytes and agranulocytes are the chief phagocytes and major producers of superoxide anion and nitric oxide. In L. marginalis, granulocytes were identified as principal phagocytes with prominent activity of superoxide anion and nitric oxide. Highest activity of phenoloxidase was recorded in the agranulocytes of P. globosa with moderate activities among other morphotypes of all three species. Differential result may be due to species specific response, non-identical habitat preference and related adaptation of the species to their different ecological niches.

Trematode cercariae infections in freshwater snails of Chitwan district, central Nepal

Because Nepal has been virtually unexplored with respect to its trematode fauna, we sampled freshwater snails from grazing swamps, lakes, rivers, swamp forests, and temporary ponds in the Chitwan district of central Nepal between July and October 2008. Altogether we screened 1,448 individuals of nine freshwater snail species (Bellamya bengalensis, Gabbia orcula, Gyraulus euphraticus, Indoplanorbis exustus, Lymnaea luteola, Melanoides tuberculata, Pila globosa, Thiara granifera and Thiara lineata) for shedding cercariae. A total of 4.3% (N=62) infected snails were found, distributed among the snail species as follows (B. bengalensis - 1, G. orcula - 11, G. euphraticus - 8, I. exustus - 39, L. luteola - 2 and T. granifera - 1). Collectively, six morphologically distinguishable types of trematode cercariae were found: amphistomes, brevifurcate-apharyngeate (likely mammalian schistosomes), clinostome, gymnocephalus (likely fasciolid), longifurcate-pharyngeate and xiphidiocercaria. I. exustus had the highest prevalence of trematode infection, and harbored all the noted cercarial types except gymnocephalus cercariae. One double infection (xiphidiocercaria and longifurcate-pharyngeate cercaria) was found in this snail. Amphistome cercariae were common in G. euphraticus, G. orcula, and I. exustus. The highest prevalence of infection (38.3%) was recorded among snails collected from temporary ponds.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hjs.v7i9.2183 Himalayan Journal of Sciences Vol.7 Issue 9 2011 pp.9-14

Biomarker for environmental stress induced aestivation

Factors leading to aestivation (summer sleep) invariably display features of stress and hence it is of interest to understand and elucidate the role of heat shock proteins (HSP`s) during cellular stress response in an aestivating amphibious Indian apple snail Pila globosa . Expression of Inducible HSP40 was documented in the hepatopancreatic tissue after 60 days of aestivation. The identification of Inducible HSP40 in snails exposed to long term aestivational stress could be used as a potential biomarker/bio-indicator.

Diversity and cercarial shedding of malaco fauna collected from water bodies of Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra

An investigation on the occurrence of snails in the water bodies of five selected sites i.e., Khed, Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Parchuri and Gimvi of district Ratnagiri, Maharashtra (India) was made during April–May 2006. The study revealed occurrence of nine species of snails viz., Indoplanorbis exustus, Lymnaea luteola, L. acuminata, Paludomus obesus, Ferrissia tenuis, Thiara ( Melanoides) tuberculata, Bellamya bengalensis, B. dissimilis and Pila globosa, besides some species of bivalves. I. exustus was the most common species by occurrence in all the selected localities and next to it was L. luteola followed by T. tuberculata, B. bengalensis and B. dissimilis, in succession. Infection with liverfluke and amphistome cercariae was found in most of the collected snail species except P. globosa. However, the Schistosome infection has been reported only in I. exustus and L. luteola. The rice fields, streams and riverbeds shared most abundance of snails whereas those collected from rice fields shedded highest number of cercariae.

Mollusks as a Cheap Source of Animal Protein in Sarlahi District

The cheapest source of animal protein ever known are mollusks, the non -fish commodities. They are Ghonghi (Bellamya bengalensis), Doka (Pila globosa) and Sippy (Lamellidens marginalis) harvested from rivers, lakes, swamps, ditches and pools. In accordance with very high protein content of 57.46%, 60.52% and 52.59%, they offer an energy of 337.68, 364.01 and 330.38 in Kcal/100g of meat on dry basis respectively. Besides such dietary significance, they exhibit cultural, trade and medicinal values as well. But, still acceptional rate is highly restricted among only few lower ethnic groups like Dom, Paswan, Mushar, Dhangar, Danuwar and Tharu of Sarlahi district. This scenario really obstructs the developing country like Nepal to create a healthy population. Hence an objective of the study was to focus on applicabilities of those cheaper sources of protein in daily life alongwith their acceptance. However, the chemical parameters of the Mollusk’s habitat should be studied. It will be a great help for mass production, offering an opportunity to earn livelihood. In addition to this, pearl production through Sippy(L. marginalis) will certainly be a step towards an economic boom. <i> Nepal Journal of Science and Technology</i> Vol. 7, 2006

Categorization of hemocytes of three gastropod species Trachea vittata (Muller), Pila globosa (Swainson) and Indoplanorbis exustus (Dehays)

Light microscopic observations were made on the hemocytes of three gastropod species namely Trachea vittata, Indoplanorbis exustus and Pila globosa. It revealed two basic types of hemocytes. They are agranulocytes and granulocytes. Agranulocytes are hyalinocytes which are round, unspread hemocytes and have a large nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio. Granulocytes are spreading hemocytes, forming numerous pseudopodia. For the purpose of differential counting, we present a categorization of the granulocytes into three sub-categories based on cell dimensions, nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio, distribution of granules in the cytoplasm and position of the nucleus. The smaller granulocytes are younger cells, and are termed Granulocytes I (Progranulocytes). The larger ones are fully developed cells that have been differentiated into Granulocyte II (basophilic) and Granulocyte III (eosinophilic).

A checklist of land and freshwater mollusca of Maharashtra state

© Zoo Outreach Organisation; www.zoosprint.org Manuscript 1149; Received 10 February 2004; Revised received 03 May 2004; Finally accepted 26 April 2005; Date of publication 21 May 2005 1912 June 2005 | ISSN 0971-6378 Molluscs occur in various habitats and are divided into freshwater, marine and terrestrial forms. The freshwater molluscs play a significant role in aquatic ecosystems, and some of them are edible. Species like Bellamya bengalensis, Pila globosa and Lamellidens marginalis are proven food for many aquatic animals and man; some such as Lamellidens marginalis and Lamellidens corrianus have also been used to produce pearls in some parts of India (Subba Rao & Dey, 1989). Shells of some of molluscs are used for making buttons and in manufacture of poultry food. Some of them are also intermediate hosts for parasites, like Pila globosa, Lymnaea etc. (Subba Rao, 1989).

Variability in fatty acids and fatty aldehydes in different organs of two prosobranch gastropod mollusks

The distribution of fatty acids and fatty aldehydes of total lipids in mantle, foot and digestive gland of two prosobranch gastropod mollusks, Bellamya bengalensis and Pila globosa, from India were studied. The individual volatile compounds, e.g., acids and aldehydes, were separated by serially coupled capillary columns with different polarity stationary phase and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Saturated fatty acids were the main components and vary from 48–60%, monoenic are 18–30%, while polyunsaturates vary between 21–33%. The digestive glands of both the snail species contained cyclopropane fatty acids, not previously reported in gastropods.

Butachlor impact on protein, free amino acid and glutamine contents, and on activity levels of aminotransferases, glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamine synthetase in the fresh water snail, Pila globosa (Swainson)

Biochemical changes followed in the freshwater snail Pila globosa (Swainson) during exposure to sublethal concentrations of the herbicide butachlor (26.6 ppm) in the ambient medium, at 3,6,12,24 and 48 h intervals, were marked by a significant decrease in total and soluble proteins, and an increase in free amino acids in foot and hepatopancreas up to 12 h before gradually recovering. Aminotransferase activities and glutamine content decreased during the early periods of exposure, while glutamate dehydrogenase activity increased. After an initial elevation, glutamate synthetase activity decreased at later intervals. Maximum effect of butachlor on the enzymes was seen after 12 h exposure. The extent of increase or decrease in different parameters examined varied between the two tissues studied. These changes are discussed in relation to the toxic stress of butachlor.

Action of the herbicide butachlor on cholinesterases in the freshwater snail Pila globosa (Swainson).

Butachlor action on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activates in central nervous tissue of the snail Pila globosa was assayed following the method of ELLMAN et al1, in vitro by adding butachlor directly (10-100 mu moles), to tissue homogenates and in in vivo by exposing the snails to sub-lethal concentration (26.6 ppm) and taking out the tissue for experimentation at different intervals (3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h) of exposure. The enzyme activities decreased in a dose-dependent manner in vitro, and up to 12-24 h in vivo after which they showed recovery towards the control. The inhibition of cholinesterases by butachlor in vitro indicates a direct action of the herbicide on these enzymes. Presumably butachlor exercises its neurotoxic effects through cholinergic impairment in a way similar to that of organophosphates and carbamates.

The nutritive value of some indigenous Asian poultry feed ingredients

Rice polishings, Snail meal ( Pila globosa) and azolla ( Azolla pinnata) were assessed for nutritive content and feeding value in broiler diets. Proximate analyses, together with estimates of ADF, NDF, Ca and P, and total amino acids were estimated for each of the ingredients. Snail meal was high in protein (539 g kg −1), although a high calcium content (85 g kg −1) probably reflects contamination of the meal with shell material. Azolla meal was high in NDF (478 g kg −1) and total ash (360 g kg −1). AME n of ingredients were 13.96, 8.94 and 4.38 MJ kg −1 for rice polishings, snail meal and azolla, respectively. The apparent and true ileal digestibility of nitrogen in azolla (49.50 and 63.50%) was significantly lower than for rice polishings (59.00 and 79.50%) and snail meal (82.00 and 90.00%). The apparent and true digestibility coefficients of amino acids in azolla were significantly lower than those found for rice polishings and snail meal. The apparent and true digestibility coefficients of total amino acids in azolla were 45.08 and 64.23 respectively, while higher values were seen with rice polishings (61.50 and 79.41) and snail meal (80.88 and 89.38). The feeding value of rice polishings, azolla and snail meal was studied for male broilers from 1–14 days including the ingredients at 200, 100 and 80 g kg −1 diet respectively at the expense of maize and soybean meal with substitution on the basis of digestible protein. Body weight and weight gain were significantly ( P < 0.01) reduced for broilers fed rice polishings although feed/gain was little affected. The body weight, weight gain and feed/gain for birds fed azolla and snail meal were similar to those seen in birds fed the maize-soyabean meal diet.

Changes in carbohydrate metabolism of Pila globosa in response to crustacean hyperglycemic hormone.

Hyperglycemia was caused in the snail Pila globosa by the injection of the hyperglycemic hormones obtained from fresh water crabs (Oziotelphusa senex senex) and marine tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon). Tissue glycogen and total carbohydrates presented a significant decrease which indicated that the source of hyperglycemia was the tissue carbohydrates. The hyperglycemic principles also increased the tissue phosphorylase activity and provided evidence for a possible action of the crustacean hyperglycemic hormones in non-arthropod species.

N-Glycolylneuraminic acid specific lectin from [formula omitted] snail

A N-glycolylneuraminic acid-specific lectin (PAL) has been purified from an albumin gland extract of the apple snail, Pila globosa . Purification is conducted on a bovine submaxillary mucin-Sepharose 4B affinity matrix followed by gel filtration on a Sepharose 6B column. The lectin agglutinates rabbit erythrocytes. The hemagglutination activity is dependent on Ca 2+ concentration in a significant manner but with a remark able behaviour. The lectin is a trimeric glycoprotein of native Mr 440 kDa with 25% carbohydrate and is composed of three nonidentical subunits of molecular weights 190, 145, and 105 kDa. It has a pI of 7.0. The lectin exhibits a unique and strict specificity toward N-glycolylneuraminic acid and this phenomenon discriminates it from other known sialic acid binding lectins. The uniqueness indicates the absolute need for a glycolyl substitution on the amino residue and of a glyceryl side chain on the exocyclic part and an axial -COOH group in neuraminic acid. The presence of an acetyl substitution on the exocyclic part impedes lectin-ligand inter action.