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A Method for Extracting Pigments from Squid Doryteuthis pealeii
Published on: November 9, 2016
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A Method for Extracting Pigments from Squid Doryteuthis pealeii.
Christopher W DiBona1, Thomas L Williams1, Sean R Dinneen1
1Department of Chemistry, University of New Hampshire.
Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|December 3, 2016
Summary
Researchers developed a new method to isolate and extract pigments from squid chromatophore granules. This technique aids in understanding the mechanisms behind cephalopod adaptive coloration.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cephalopods exhibit remarkable adaptive coloration through chromatophores.
- Chromatophores contain pigmented granules, but their structure-function properties are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for isolating nanostructured granules from squid chromatophores.
- To extract and analyze pigments from these granules to understand adaptive coloration.
Main Methods:
- Manual isolation of the chromatophore-containing dermal layer.
- Sonication, centrifugation, and washing to remove pigment granules.
- Acidic methanol extraction to isolate soluble pigments from granules.
Main Results:
- Successful isolation of nanostructured granules from Doryteuthis pealeii chromatophores.
- Extraction of soluble pigments using acidic methanol, yielding 58% of the pigment.
- Purified nanostructures were smaller and devoid of visible color.
Conclusions:
- The described method allows for pigment composition determination.
- This provides insights into the mechanisms of adaptive coloration in cephalopods.
