ANALYSIS OF PULMONATE MUCUS BY INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY

Infrared (IR)-spectroscopy can analyse a range of moleculesindiverse biological systems and has already found use in forensicbiology,clinical diagnosis, and environmental monitoring. UsingIR-spectroscopyto analyse gastropod mucus represents an originalapplicationof this technique. This study describes the differencesinmucus composition that appear to be species specific, as wellasidentifying many of the molecular components of the mucusitself. Allspecies studied showed IR absorbance bands indicatingthe presence ofamide bonds as well as profiles associated withsugar side chains,indicating a commonality associated withthe gel properties of pedalmucus which may have a role in locomotion. The species-specific bandprofiles may provide an indicationof the differing roles required of themucus by the specificgastropod test. ^* address for correspondence. (Received 23 July 1999; accepted 24 November 1999)