title: High-performance thin-layer chromatographic analysis of lutein and beta-carotene in Cerithidia californica (Gastropoda) infected with two species of larval trematodes.
abstract: High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis was done on lutein and beta-carotene in the digestive gland-gonad complex (DGG) and whole body of uninfected Cerithidia californica snails and those infected with the larval trematodes Mesostephanus appendiculatis or Euhaplorichis californiensis. HPTLC of the DGG extract on C-18 reversed-phase plates developed in petroleum ether-acetonitrile-methanol (1:2:2) mobile phase showed 2 identifiable pigment zones; the least polar zone had a retention factor (Rf) of 0.07, identical to a beta-carotene standard, and the more polar zone had an Rf of 0.41, identical to a lutein standard. Densitometric scanning of the pigment zones in sample versus standard chromatograms showed that the weight percent of lutein in the uninfected DGGs (3.4x10(-3)%) was significantly greater (P<0.05) than that of DGGs infected with either M. appendiculatis (0.35x10(-3)%) or E. californiensis (0.82x10(-3)%). Changes in beta-carotene in the infected DGGs were insignificant compared to the uninfected controls. However, the beta-carotene content of whole snails was significantly reduced (P<0.05) by infection with either trematode.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania 18042, USA.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Marsit
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fried
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sherma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D003720:Densitometry; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D014975:Lutein / Q000032:analysis*; D012908:Snails / Q000737:chemistry / Q000469:parasitology*; D014200:Trematoda / Q000502:physiology*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D019207:beta Carotene; D014975:Lutein