Determination of the Effects of Estivation and Starvation on Neutral Lipids and Phospholipids in Biomphalaria glabrata (NMRI Strain) and Helisoma trivolvis (Colorado Strain) Snails by Quantitative High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography‐Densitometry

Abstract

High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) was used to determine neutral lipids and phospholipids in Biomphalaria glabrata (NMRI strain) and Helisoma trivolvis (Colorado strain) snails during estivation and starvation. Control snails were maintained on a diet of Romaine lettuce leaves. HPTLC analyses showed a significant (ANOVA, P<0.05) decrease in triacylglycerols in estivated and starved snails compared to the controls and a significant increase in steryl esters in estivated and starved snails compared to the controls.

Keywords:

• Thin layer chromatography
• Lipids
• Biomphalaria glabrata
• Helisoma trivolvis
• Estivation
• Starvation

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Dr. Fred A. Lewis, Head, Schistosomiasis Laboratory, Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, MD, USA for supplying the Biomphalaria glabrata snails used in this work through NIH‐NIAID contract NO1‐AI‐55270. M. White was supported by a Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation Senior Scientist Mentor Initiative Grant awarded to J. Sherma.