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Differences in sterol composition of clams (Ruditapes decussatus) from three rías in Galicia (NW Spain)

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Abstract

The sterol composition of three different populations of Ruditapes decussatus from three localities close to each other, but where different environment conditions prevail, was investigated over a period of 14 months. Sterols of adult clams were isolated by thin layer chromatography and identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In all samples, the major sterol component was cholesterol (>40% of total sterols); other sterols identified were 24-norcholesta-5,22-dienol, 22-cis-dehydrocholesterol, 22-trans-dehydrocholesterol, brassicasterol, 24-methylene-cholesterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol and isofucosterol. At each locality, changes in sterol levels followed specific and different patterns, which remained constant for the period studied and allowed the origin of the clams to be distinguished. Stepwise discriminant analysis, based on the percentage amounts of the sterols at each locality, indicated brassicasterol, 22-cis-dehydrocholesterol, cholesterol, 24-norcholestadienol and β-sitosterol as discriminant variables that distinguish clam populations. Correct identification of the clam origin was achieved in 100% of the samples, demonstrating that sterols can justifiably be used as molecular biomarkers for determining the origin of this bivalve species.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by Xunta de Galicia (Spain) project no. XUGA20318B97 and by EC research contract no. 94/C 185/08. We thank C. Francis for improving the English text.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

    A. J. Pazos, A. Silva, V. Vázquez, M. L. Pérez-Parallé, J. L. Sánchez & M. Abad

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  1. A. J. Pazos
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  2. A. Silva
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  3. V. Vázquez
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  4. M. L. Pérez-Parallé
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  5. J. L. Sánchez
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  6. M. Abad
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Correspondence to M. Abad.

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Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe

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Pazos, A.J., Silva, A., Vázquez, V. et al. Differences in sterol composition of clams (Ruditapes decussatus) from three rías in Galicia (NW Spain). Marine Biology 147, 663–670 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-005-1584-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-005-1584-y

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