Cryoprotective capacity of end products of anaerobic metabolism

Abstract

Abstract The cryoprotective capacity of end products of anaerobic metabolism was measured using resonance energy transfer studies and stabilization of freeze‐labile enzymes during freeze‐thaw. The most effective end products of anaerobic metabolism at preventing fusion of small unilamellar vesicles during freezing were alanopine, alanine, proprionate, acetate, and lactate. Octopine and strombine were less effective, and ethanol resulted in fusion. Lactate dehydrogenase or phosphofructokinase were protected during freeze‐thaw by all of the end products tested. The possible mechanisms of protection of lipid bilayers and enzymes as well as the implications of these results for the survival of intertidal bivalve molluscs during winter are discussed.