ISSN:
1420-9071
Keywords:
Cephalopods
;
infrared
;
chitin
;
monosaccharides
;
principal component analysis
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The organic matrix of four living cephalopod skeletons was extracted, purified, separated in a soluble and an insoluble fraction. These fractions were submitted to infrared analysis. After a light hydrolysis, their monosaccharide content was determined by HPAE-PAD. The results were treated by principal component analysis. Infrared analysis has been used to estimate the protein/sugar ratios and showed a high amount of chitin within the insoluble fractions. This was corroborated by their high content of glucosamine. The composition of soluble matrices appeared more heterogeneous: the general tendency is an increase of glucosamine from the most mineralized shell (Nautilus) to the non-mineralized one (Loligo), and a decrease in glucose and galactose. These data would be in agreement with the evolutionary tendency towards shell reduction and disappearance among cephalopods.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01931112
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