FREE AMINO ACIDS IN SOME AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES

Abstract

1. Free amino acids of 17 species of aquatic invertebrates were determined by chromatographic methods.2. Qualitative differences in some amino acids were detected in organisms of different species. The concentration of alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine and taurine was measured and significant differences recorded.3. Taurine was found in high concentration in all the marine organisms studied but was not found in several fresh-water and terrestrial organisms.4. The possible role of taurine and other free amino acids in aquatic organisms is discussed.