Effects of controlled pH on organic and inorganic composition in haemolymph, epidermal tissue and cuticle of mud crab Scylla serrata.

Analysis of organic and inorganic compounds in plasma, epidermal tissue and cuticle were accomplished in the intermolt (C3 stage) of crab Scylla serrata incubated in different pH media. Significant changes with similar trends for protein, carbohydrates, glycosaminoglycans (GAG), sulphur, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and copper in the plasma suggested higher dissolution in an acidic medium while the deposition increased in alkaline medium. Similar decreases in protein, carbohydrate and GAG in the epidermal compartment were observed from pH 4 to pH 12. However, significantly higher contents of sodium, chloride, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulphur and copper were measured at pH 7.5 with a symmetrical decrease profile in both acidic and alkaline media, resulting from synergistic effects in the osmotic regulation. Clear changes in calcium concentrations were observed with a sharp increase from lower contents at pH 7.5 to higher at pH 12. In the cuticle, the acidic condition induced a significant dissolution of HCl-protein, GAG, calcium and magnesium contents. On the other hand, the alkaline condition induced a significant decrease in carbohydrate, calcium, chloride, sulphur and potassium. A reduction trend is seen for NaOH and H(2)O-protein contents in the cuticle. These observations suggest that GAG and HCl-protein might constitute the most soluble fraction with high affinity for calcium binding and easily removed in acidic conditions. Additionally, it is possible to speculate that the carbohydrates associated with the NaOH and H(2)O-proteins may form an interface between the soluble matrix fraction and the chitin framework. Sulphur groups seem to present a strong linkage role in this interface fraction, maybe only broken by a specific enzyme in extreme alkaline conditions with subsequent release of significant calcium from the shell. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.