Investigation of vitamin A and beta-carotene in snail (Helix lucorum, Linnaeus, 1758) living in Keban, Elazığ region

ABSTRACT Master Thesis INVESTIGATION OF VITAMIN A AND P-CAROTENE IN SNAIL {Helix lucorum, LINNAEUS, 1758) LIVING IN KEBAN, ELAZI? REGION H. Bayram GÖKHAN Fırat University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences Department of Aquaculture 2005, Page: 35 In this study, the amounts and seasonal changes of vitamin A and P-carotene were spectrophotometrically investigated in hepatopancreas, intestine and muscle tissues of Helix lucorum (known as Turkish snail) living in Keban region of Elazig Total 126 snails were used for this study during one year. Vitamin A and p- carotene were analysed in these extracted tissues. In hepatopancrease tissue; while the highest and the lowest levels of vitamin A were found 1.00±0.37 ug g"1 in April and 0.49±0.56 ug g"1 in October respectively, the highest and the lowest levels of P-carotene were found 0.37±0.08ug g-1 in June and 0.09±0.11ug g"1 in May respectively. In intestine tissue; while the highest and lowest levels of vitamin A were found 0.71±0.12 ug g"1 in August and 0.30±0.10 ug g"1 in October respectively, the highest and the lowest levels of p-carotene were found 0.26±0.16ug g"1 in June and 0.03±0.00 ug g"1 in July respectively. In muscle tissue; while the highest and the lowests levels of vitamin A were found 0.69±0.08 ug g"1 in August and 0.34±0. 13 ug g"1 in September respectively, the highest and the lowest levels of p-carotene were found 0.28±0.17 ug g"1 in June and 0.77±0.07 ug g"1 in May respectively. Mountly distribution of vitamine A and P-carotene levels in hepatopancrease tissue of snails were not significant statically (p>0.05). Vitamin A level in intestinal tissue was significant (p<0.05), but p-carotene level was not significant (p>0.05). In muscle tissue, there was not significant differences in vitamin A and p-carotene levels (p<0.05). Key Words: Snail, Helix lucorum, vitamin A, P-carotene, VI