Comparative studies of skeletal soluble matrices from some Scleractinian corals and Molluscs

The soluble organic matrices extracted from aragonitic skeletons of five Scleractinia and two Molluscs were analyzed using FTIR spectrometry, HPLC and 2-D gel electrophoresis. All these methods show that scleractinian and molluscan matrices are different. Both matrices are acidic with poorly separated molecular weights. The scleractinian matrices are highly glycosylated, whereas the molluscan matrices are not as shown by stains in 2D-electrophoresis. These results were in accordance with earlier data: high S contents in Scleractinia skeletons and low S contents in Mollusca shells. These results confirm the control of the morphology and the chemical composition of aragonite biocrystals in various taxa.