Variation in the lipids of tissues during the molting cycle of prawn.

Abstract

This study deals with the variation in the lipids of tissues during the molting cycle of prawn, Penaeus japonicus. During the molting cycle, the most notable variation in the lipid concentration (mg/100g fresh tissue) was seen in the hepatopancreas; the lipid concentration reached a maximum at stage D0 (beginning of premolt period). Also, the pre-ecdysial increase of hepatopancreatic lipids was found to be derived from both polar and neutral lipids. In other tissues such as the muscle, eyestalk, integument, and remains, the lipid concentration varied with the molting stages, but the variation was not as remarkable as observed in the hepatopancreas.