TRIACYLGLYCEROL DIGESTION BY THE LEADER PRAWN PENAEUS-MONODON

Midgut gland extracts from leader prawn Penaeus monodon were evaluated for lipase activity and positional specificity using triolein as a su bstrate. Lipase activity of aqueous and acetone midgut gland extracts was screened using a mammalian serum lipase test kit and triolein/agar emulsion clearing. Using the clearing method lipase activity was iden tified in both aqueous and acetone extracts. However, no lipase activi ty was detected using the serum lipase test kit. In vitro hydrolysis o f triolein by midgut gland lipase at pH 8.0 produced 1,2-diacylglycero l and free fatty acid as the sole digestion products indicating specif icity for the 1-position of triacylglycerol. The specificity of lipase s from Penaeus monodon for the primary position of triacylglycerol is similar to that of mammalian pancreatic lipase and lipases from Homaru s americanus and most fish.