Activities of Archachatina (Calachatina) marginata heamolymph enzymes: clues to terrestrial snails\' salt intolerance

The effect of sodium and chloride salts on the activity of some enzymes, namely, rhodanese and 3–mercaptopyruvate sulphur transferase, arginase, acid phosphatase, β-glucosidase and cellulase in the haemolymph of the giant African snail (Archachatina marginata) were investigated. This is an attempt to providing scientific reasoning(s) for the traditional belief that terrestrial snails cannot tolerate a saline environment. Only acid phosphatase, β-glucosidase and cellulase activities were affected by this treatment while rhodanese, 3-mercaptopyruvate sulphur transferase and arginase activities were slightly affected. The former enzymes are known to be involved in energy metabolism while the latter play secondary roles such as detoxification and urea metabolism. Keywords : Archachatina, heamolymph, rhodanese, 3-mercaptopyruvate sulphur transferase, arginase, β-glucosidase, cellulose, salt toxicity International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences Vol. 2 (1) 2008 pp. 66-71