Abstract
In the present work, two marine gastropods (Nerita albicilla and N. undata) were subjected to detailed investigation highlighting the biomass distribution, phenotypic and genotypic identification, biochemical composition including total lipid, carbohydrate, protein, fatty acid and amino acid profiles. The sampling was done at Paradise Point and Buleji located at the Sindh Coast of Pakistan. Microstructure and chemistry of the shell was examined via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDX). The biochemical composition of Nerita sp. showed high concentration of proteins followed by lipids and carbohydrates. Hemocyanins, the medicinally important protein was abundantly found in the hemolymph of both species and was confirmed by SEC FPLC and SDS-PAGE analysis. Fatty acid profile showed eight different types of fatty acids, while amino acid analysis showed rich composition of non-essential and essential amino acids. Our results present successful method of identification at genetic level by amplification of mitochondrial gene 16SrDNA. The data from current study also exhibit nutritionally rich status of Nerita sp. which can be utilized as significant and valuable marine resource of high energy and can also be an alternative source of balanced diet (food/feed) to overcome the problem of malnutrition in underdeveloped countries.

FOZIA HUMAYUN, IQRA MUNIR, MUHAMMAD SAMEE HAIDER, ZARRIEN AYUB, SYED ABID ALI. (2020) The molecular and biochemical characterization of two Marine Gastropods of the Genus Nerita, Biologia – Journal of Biological Society of Pakistan, Volume 66(I), Issue 1.
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