The lamellibranch crystalline style

Abstract

The mucoid comprising the substance of the lamellibranch crystalline style in Pinna nobilis L. consists of approximately 30% of carbohydrate combined with 70% of protein. The carbohydrate portion is composed of N-acetylated glucosamine and galactosamine, galactose and fucose, which have been estimated. Although it resembles the blood-group substances in make-up, tests for A, B, H and Lea activity were negative. All the usual amino acids are present, with threonine-serine, proline and tyrosine in relatively large amounts. By weight, the amount of enzyme protein (amylase, lipase, cellulase) is negligible, but the style mucoid itself, both electrophoretically and in the ultracentrifuge, behaves as a paucidisperse system.