Effect of chromium on protein metabolism of fresh water mussel, Lamellidens marginalis.

Effect of sub-lethal concentration of chromium was studied on the protein metabolism in adductor muscle, gill and mantle tissues of fresh water mussel, Lamellidens marginalis. Total proteins and RNA showed a decrease while free amino acids and protease activity showed an increase. Alanine and Aspartate aminotransferase activities showed an increase, while GDH activity showed a decrease. It may be suggested that the proteins are degraded and the amino acids are incorporated into TCA cycle to augment the energy needs of the organism due to chromium toxicity.

Study of carbohydrate metabolism in selected tissues of freshwater mussel, Lamellidens marginalis under copper sulphate toxicity.

Sublethal toxicity of copper sulphate on carbohydrate metabolism was studied in selected tissues of freshwater mussel, Lamellidens marginalis. Levels of glycogen and pyruvic acid decreased while lactic acid showed an increase. Activities of LDH, SDH and MDH decreased while G-6-PDH activity increased. There appears to be a shift in the carbohydrate metabolism from aerobic to anaerobic type due to toxicity of copper.