摘要:Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate the biomass assessment, morphological and molecular identification, nutritive status and biochemical characterization of three major Thais species ( T. bufo , T. hippocastanum and T. rudolphi ) from the Sindh Coast, Pakistan. Methods: Samples were collected from Buleji and Paradise Point at the Sindh Coast. Species were identified morphologically as well as genetically by amplifying two mitochondrial 16S rDNA & Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) and one nuclear (Histone H3) genes. Shell microstructure and chemistry were also studied by scanning electron microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX). The body muscle was dissected and used for nutritional composition determination such as estimation of total protein, carbohydrates, lipids, protein fingerprinting by Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Size-Exclusion - Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (SEC-FPLC), amino acid and fatty acid analysis. Results: Nutritionally, the total protein was found to be the major content followed by carbohydrate and lipid in the three Thais sp . The presence of medicinally important hemocyanin as abundant hemolymph protein was confirmed via SDS-PAGE and SEC FPLC. Nine different types of fatty acids and a high concentration of essential amino acids were also determined. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Thais sp. are nutritionally rich and can be consumed as a valuable marine resource to overcome the malnutrition problem in developing countries.
关键词:Gastropods; Proteins; Amino acids; Alternative food; Thais ; Sindh coast.