Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Changes in protein-bound and free amino acids in the muscle of the tiger prawn Penaeus esculentus during starvation

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Using the starvation technique, changes in protein and free amino acids were examined in Penaeus esculentus Haswell collected from Moreton Bay, Australia, by trawling in 1985. Prawns of 17.7±0.26 g wet weight were held at 25°C until 2 d after moulting. Groups of seven or eight were then starved fro 5, 10, or 15 d, with appropriate control groups. At the end of each period, ecreted amino acids were collected for 24 h and whole-muscle amino acids and free amino acids (FAA) g-1 in each prawn were analysed. Concentrations of whole-muscle amino acids showed only minor changes with starvation, but concentrations of many of the FAA changed significantly. Total FAA averaged 1 182±45 μmol g-1 dry weight. Individual FAA, in order of abundance, were glycine, arginine, proline, taurine, threonine, hydroxyproline, alanine, glutamic acid, valine, aspartic acid and lysine; the remaining FAA each contributed <0.2% of the total. Only taurine and alanine did not show significant changes with starvation. Concentrations of glycine, arginine, hydroxyproline, glutamic and aspartic acid increased, while those of proline, threonine, valine and lysine decreased with starvation, that of proline approaching zero after 15 d starvation. Excreted amino acid-nitrogen represented <2% of excreted ammonianitrogen ornithine being the most abundant (35%), followed by leucine (22%) and lysine (17%). The relative abundance of excreted amino acids did not correspond with those of the FAA. It is suggested that, as starvation progresses, the muscle protein is progressively hydrolysed, but with the remaining muscle maintaining its amino acid composition. The liberated amino acids enter the FAA pool and become available for energy production. Proline may have an important role as an energy source, but the ability to synthesise proline may be limited, and thus the artificial food of penaeid prawns may be improved by its addition.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  • Adams, E. and L. Frank: Metabolism of proline and the hydroxyprolines. A. Rev. Biochem. 49, 1005–1061 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Alava, V. R. and C. Lim: The quantitative dietary protein requirements of Penaeus monodon juveniles in a controlled environments Aquaculture, Amsterdam 30, 53–61 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, J. A. and M. R. Garrett: Taurine in marine invertebrates. Adv. mar. Biol. 9, 205–253 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • AQUACOP: study of nutritional requirements and growth of Penaeus merguiensis in tanks by means of purified and artificial diets. Proc. Wld Maricult. Soc. 9, 225–234 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barclay, M. C., W. Dall and D. M. Smith: Changes in lipid and protein during starvation and the moulting cycle in the tiger prawn, Penaeus esculentus Haswell. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 68, 229–244 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Beis, I. D. and E. A. Newsholme: The contents of adenine nucleotides, phosphagen and some glycolytic intermediates in resting muscle from vertebrates and invertebrates. Biochem. J. 152, 23–32 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bursell, E.: Aspects of amino acid metabolism in the tsetse fly, Glossina (Diptera). J. Insect Physiol. 9, 439–452 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bursell, E.: Substrates of oxidative metabolism in dipteran flight muscle. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 52 B, 235–238 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaplin, A. E., A. K. Huggins and K. A. Munday: The effect of salinity on the metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds in Carcinus maenas. Int. J. Biochem. 1, 385–400 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Claybrook, D. L.: Nitrogen metabolism. In: The biology of Crustacea. Vol. 5. Internal anatomy and physiological regulation, pp 163–213. Ed. by L. H. Mantel. New York: Academic Press 1983

    Google Scholar 

  • Clifford, H. C. and R. W. Brick: Protein utilization in the freshwater shrimp Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Proc. Wld Maricult. Soc. 9, 175–208 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cowey, C. B. and J. R. M. Forster: The essential amino-acid requirements of the prawn Palaemon serratus. The growth rate of prawns on diets of proteins containing different amino acid compositions. Mar. Biol. 10, 77–81 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dall, W.: The role of ninhydrin-positive substances in osmoregulation in the eestern rock lobster, Panulirus longipes (Milne Edwards). J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 19, 43–58 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dall, W.: Estimation of routine metabolic rate in a penaeid prawn, Penaeus esculentus Haswell.. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 96, 57–74 (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dall, W. and D. M. Smith: Oxygen consumption and ammonia-N excretion in fed and starved tiger prawns, Penaeus esculentus Haswell. Aquaculture, Amsterdam 55, 23–33 (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  • D'Aniello, A.: Free amino acids in some tissues of marine crustacea. Experientia 36, 392–393 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Deshimaru, O. and K. Kuroki: Studies on the purified diet for prawn-IV. Evaluation of protein, free amino acids and their mixture as nitrogen source. Bull Jap. Soc. scient. Fish. 41, 101–103 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Deshimaru, O. and K. Shigeno: Introduction to the artificial diet for prawn Penaeus japonicus. Aquaculture, Amsterdam 1, 115–133 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Farmanfarmaian, A. and T. Lauterio: Amino acid supplementation of feed pellets of the giant shrimp (Macrobrachium rosenbergii). Proc. Wld Maricult. Soc. 10, 674–688 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fenucci, J. L., Z. P. Zein-Eldin and A. L. Lawrence: The nutritional response of two penaeid species to various levels of squid meal in a prepared feed. Proc. Wld Maricult. Soc. 11, 403–409 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hird, F. J. R., S. C. Cianciosi and R. M. McLean: Investigations on the origin and metabolism of the carbon skeleton of ornithine, arginine and proline in selected animals. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 83 B, 179–184 (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hochachka, P. W. and J. H. A. Fields: Arginine, glutamate and proline as substrates for oxidation and for glycogenesis in cephalopod tissues. Pacif. Sci. 36, 325–335 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hochachka, P. W., T. P. Mommsen, J. Storey, K. B. Storey, K. Johansen and C. J. French: The relationship between arginine and proline metabolism in cephalopods. Mar. Biol. Lett 4, 1–21 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huggins, A. K.: Intermediary metabolism in Carcinus maenas. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 18, 283–290 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Katzen, S., B. R. Salser and J. Ure: Dietary lysine effects on stressrelated mortality of the marine shrimp, Penaeus stylirostris. Aquaculture, Amsterdam 40, 277–281 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimura, S. and H. Tanaka: Partial characterization of muscle collagens from prawns and lobster. J. Fd Sci. 51, 330–332, p. 339 (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kleiber, M.: The fire of life. An introduction to animal energetics, 454 pp. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Inc. 1961

    Google Scholar 

  • McCoid, V., R. Miget and G. Finne: Effect of environmental salinity on the free amino acid composition and concentration in penaeid shrimp. J. Fd Sci. 49, 327–330, p. 355 (1984)

  • McGilvery, R. W.: Biochemistry, a functional approach, 769 pp. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders & Co. 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Moriarty, D. J. W. and M. C. Barclay: Carbon and nitrogen content of food and the assimilation efficiencies of penaeid prawns in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Aust. J. mar. Freshwat. Res. 32, 245–251 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • New, M. B.: A review of dietary studies with shrimp and prawns. Aquaculture, Amsterdam 9, 101–144 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Otazo-Abrill, M., B. J. Martin et H. J. Ceccaldi: Influence des acides aminés purifiés ajoutés dans les aliments composés, sur le métabolisme des pigments caroténoides chez Palaemon serratus (Crustacea, Decapoda). Aquaculture, Amsterdam 28, 303–309 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pochon-Masson, J., G. G. Payen, C. Portemer and F. Chategner: Effects of experimental diets and of fasting on the concentration of taurine in various organs of the shore crab Carcinus maenas (L.) (Decapoda: Brachyura). Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 75A, 141–145 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • richard, P.: Le métabolisme amino-acide de Palaemon serratus: variations des acides aminés du muscle et de l'hépatopancréas au cours du cycle de mue. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 67A, 553–560 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • rogers, Q. R. and J. G. Morris: Essentiality of amino acids for the growing kitten. J. Nutr. 109, 718–723 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sacktor, B. and E. Wormser-Shavitt: Regulation of metabolism in working muscle in vivo. 1. Concentrations of some glycolytic, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and amino acid intermediates in insect flight muscle during flight. J. biol. Chem. 241, 624–631 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoffeniels, E.: Adaptation with respect to salinity. Biochem. Soc. Symp. 41, 179–204 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sedgwick, R. W.: Influence of dietary protein and energy on growth, food consumption and food conversion efficiency in Penaeus merguiensis de Man. Aquaculture, Amsterdam 16, 7–30 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shewbart, K. L., W. L. Mies and P. G. Ludwig: Identification and quantitative analysis of the amino acids present in protein of the brown shrimp Penaeus aztecus. Mar. Biol. 16, 64–67 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, R. J., M. R. Neuberger and T.-Y. Lui: Complete amino acid analysis of proteins from a single hydrolysate. J. biol. Chem. 251, 1936–1940 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, D. M. and W. Dall: Moult-staging in the tiger prawn Penaeus esculentus Haswell. In: Second Australian national prawn seminar, pp 85–93. Ed. by P. C. Rothlisberg, B. J. Hill and D. J. Staples. Cleveland, Queensland: NPS2 1985

  • Smith, L. L., P. G. Lee, A. L. Lawrence and K. Strawn: Growth and digestibility by three sizes of Penaeus vannamei Boone: effects of dietary protein level and protein source. Aquaculture, Amsterdam 46, 85–96 (1985)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stahl, M. S. and G. A. Ahearn: Amino acid studies with juvenile Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Proc. Wld Maricult. Soc. 9, 209–216 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Teshima, S., A. Kanazawa and M. Yamashita: Dietary value of several proteins and supplemental amino acids for larvae of the prawn Penaeus japonicus. Aquaculture, Amsterdam 51, 225–235 (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  • Torres, C.: Variations du pool des acides aminés libres du musclé abdominal de Penaeus kerathurus au cours du cycle d'intermue, et au cours du jeune. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 45B, 1–12 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Urich, K.: Aminosäurestoffwechsel in den Organen des Flußkrebses Orconectes limosus: Transaminierung, oxydative und nicht oxydative Desaminierung. Z. vergl. Physiol. 56, 95–110 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wassenberg, T. J. and B. J. Hill: Natural diet of the tiger prawns Penaeus esculentus Haswell and P. semisulcatus de Haan. Aust. J. mar. Freshwat. Res. 38, 169–182 (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  • Weeda, E., C. A. D. de Kort and A. M. T. Beenakkers: Oxidation of proline and pyruvate by flight muscle mitochondria of the Colorado beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say. Insect Biochem. 10, 305–311 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIRO Marine Laboratories, P.O. Box 120, 4163, Cleveland, Queensland, Australia

    W. Dall & D. M. Smith

Authors
  1. W. Dall
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. M. Smith
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by G.F. Humphrey, Sydney

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dall, W., Smith, D.M. Changes in protein-bound and free amino acids in the muscle of the tiger prawn Penaeus esculentus during starvation. Mar. Biol. 95, 509–520 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00393094

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00393094

Keywords

Search

Navigation