Food Chemistry 197 (2016) 597–602

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Food Chemistry
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/foodchem

Nutrient composition and antioxidant activity of gonads of sea urchin

Stomopneustes variolaris
Ayyagari Archana ⇑, K. Ramesh Babu
Department of Marine Living Resources, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: The study investigated, for the first time, proximate nutritional composition and antioxidant activity of
Received 18 May 2014 gonads from the sea urchin, Stomopneustes variolaris, inhabiting the coastal area of Visakhapatnam
Received in revised form 13 October 2015 (India). Moisture, ash, proteins, lipids and carbohydrate content were 77.53% ± 0.80, 3.76% ± 0.25,
Accepted 1 November 2015
12.10% ± 0.41, 4.98% ± 0.36 and 1.63% ± 0.18, respectively, based on dry weight. The gonads were rich
Available online 2 November 2015
in essential amino acids (ca. 32.1% of total amino acids) with the most predominant being phenylalanine,
lysine and valine. The essential to non-essential amino acid ratio was 0.5. Polyunsaturated fatty acids
Chemical compounds studied in the article:
(PUFA) constituted 22.01% ± 2.2 of total fatty acids. The x6:x3 ratio was 0.94. Total phenol content of
Hydrochloric acid (PubChem CID: 313)
Trisodium citrate (PubChem CID: 6224)
the gonad was 9.90 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g and the IC50 of the extract, using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-
Methanol (PubChem CID: 887) picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, was 57.81 lg/ml.
Perchloric acid (PubChem CID: 24247) Ó 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Boric acid (PubChem CID: 7628)
Sodium hydroxide (PubChem CID: 14798)
O-phthalaldehyde (PubChem CID: 4807)
Sodium hypochlorite (PubChem CID:
23665760)
Sodium chloride (PubChem CID: 5234)
Boron trifluoride (PubChem CID: 6356)
Petroleum ether (PubChem CID: 5794)
Folin–Ciocalteu’s reagent (PubChem CID:
516996)
Gallic acid (PubChem CID: 370)
1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay
(PubChem CID: 74358)
Ascorbic acid (PubChem CID 54670067)

Keywords:
Sea urchin
Gonads
Proximate composition
Antioxidant
Stomopneustes variolaris

1. Introduction for foreign exchange earnings by way of exports. As such, many

Sea urchin gonads (roe or uni) have gained importance because
of their economic, nutritional and health potential. Gonads of sea
urchin species, such as Loxechinus albus, Paracentrotus lividus,
Strongylocentrotus droebacheinsis, Anthocidaris crassipina, are con-
sumed as sea food in certain parts of the world. Edible sea urchins
or parts thereof have a good international market with potential
⇑ Corresponding author at: Department of Marine Living Resources, Andhra
University, Visakhapatnam 530 002, Andhra Pradesh, India.
E-mail address: archana.ayyagari@yahoo.com (A. Archana).
new species of sea urchins have been explored for edibility. Though
palatability and non-toxicity are of primary concern for edibility,
biochemical profile of the roe influences the acceptability of sea
urchin as a food (Lawrence, 2001).
Nutritionally sea urchin gonads are a rich source of lipids,
carbohydrates and proteins. These influence organoleptic proper-
ties, such as colour, texture, firmness and flavour, which affects
gonad quality (Siikavuopio, Dale, & Carlehog, 2007). Gonads are
prized for their yellow orange colour, bitter-sweet flavour, and
distinctive aroma (Gracia, Lopez-Hernandez, Gonzalez-Castro,
Rodriguez De Quiros, & Simal-Loranzo, 2000; Shpigel, Mc Bride,

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.11.003
0308-8146/Ó 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
598 A. Archana, K.R. Babu / Food Chemistry 197 (2016) 597–602
Marciano, Ron, & Ben-Amotz, 2005). Some gonads are a source of
vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients although the diet of
the sea urchin can influence biochemical composition of the
gonads (Chen et al., 2010). This can be exploited in aquaculture
to improve the final product through artificial feed.
From the health point of view, gonads are a rich source of
polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (Dincer & Cakli, 2007). These
have a profound influence on cardiovascular morbidity and mortal-
ity (Siriwardhana, Kalupahana, & Moustaid-Moussa, 2012). They
also have preventive effect on hypertension, inflammation,
arrhythmias and cancer (Fetterman & Zdanowich, 2009). The main
PUFA found in gonads are long chain x-3 fatty acids, in particular
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5 (n
3)) and docosahexaenoic
acid (DHA, C22:6 (n
3)). The antioxidant activity of the gonads
also has bearing on the health through scavenging of reactive
oxygen species (ROS, e.g. superoxide and hydroxyl radicals) and
oxidants, such as, singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, gener-
ated by endogenous or exogenous factors that are injurious to
the cells of the body (Brewer, 2011; Mamelona & Peltetier, 2010).
Besides antioxidants from animal origin, plant antioxidants,
including polyphenolic compounds, are also found in sea urchin
gonads, consumption of which is associated with anti-
inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic and anti-carcinogenic activities
(Mamelona & Peltetier, 2010; Soobrattee et al., 2005).
Antioxidants are typically used in the food industry for prevent-
ing rancidity of foodstuffs. The commonly used synthetic antioxi-
dants such as butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA) and butylated
hydroxyl toluene (BHT), though potent, have been found to be
toxic and carcinogenic (Li et al., 2007). Marine organisms offer a
safe and effective alternative to these. Accordingly, screening for
antioxidant activity from marine organisms has increased (Ashraf
Jazayeri, 2012).
In the present study Stomopneustes variolaris, an abundant sea
urchin species on the Visakhapatnam coast was screened for bio-
chemical profile and antioxidant activity. The results will enhance
not only our understanding of the nutritional aspects of S. variolaris
but also provides essential data for further scientific research.
2. Material and methods
2.1. Sample collection and preparation
Sea urchins (n = 30) with a diameter greater than 65 mm were
collected with the help of SCUBA divers from the intertidal region
along Visakhapatnam coast (India, 17°450 N, 83°210 300 E) during their
maturation period. All the sea urchins collected were transported
to the laboratory in sea water. The test diameter was measured
using vernier callipers to nearest 0.01 mm. Then, the shells
were opened and gonads removed. The gonads were pooled for
biochemical analysis.
2.2. Determination of proximate composition and calculation of
energetic values
The moisture and ash content of the sea urchin gonads were
determined using standard methods (AOAC, 1998a, 1998b). Crude
protein content was estimated using the Kjeldahl method (AOAC,
1998c). Carbohydrates were determined using the Anthrone–
sulphuric acid method (Kohler, 1952), and total lipids were
analysed using the method of Bligh and Dyer (1959). Energy was
calculated from the energy values of all the constituents, and
expressed as kcal/100 g on dry weight basis. The conversion factors
were 5.65, 9.5 and 3.90 for protein, lipid and carbohydrate, respec-
tively (Mol, Baygar, Varlik, & Tosun, 2008).
2.3. Amino acid analysis
2.3.1. Chemicals used
Hydrochloric acid, trisodium citrate, methanol, perchloric acid,
boric acid, sodium hydroxide were purchased from Merck
(Mumbai, India); O-phthalaldehyde and sodium hypochlorite from
Sigma–Aldrich Chemical Co. (Mumbai, India).
Amino acid composition of the sea urchin gonads was estimated
using the procedure adopted by Ishida, Fujita, and Arai (1981).
150 mg of tissue was added to 10 ml of 6 mol l-2 HCl in a Pyrex
tube. The tube was heat sealed after filling it up with pure nitrogen
gas. Hydrolysis of the mixture was carried out in a hot air oven at
110 °C for 24 h. Then, the contents were filtered and flash evapo-
rated to remove traces of HCl. This process was repeated for 2–3
times with distilled water. The residue was made up to 10 ml with
0.05 mol l-1 HCl before being passed through a 0.45 lm membrane
filter (Merck Millipore, Bangalore, India), and 20 ll injected on to
the HPLC column (Shimadzu-LC10AS). The column (Shim-pack
Amino-ISC-07/S 1504Na) was 19 cm long with a 5 cm diameter,
and packed with a strong acidic cation exchange resin i.e., styrene
divinyl copolymer with sulphonic group. The mobile phase consists
of two buffers; buffer A (trisodium citrate 32.7 g, methanol 140 ml,
perchloric acid 16.6 ml, pH3.2) and buffer B (trisodium citrate
117.6 g, boric acid 24.8 g, 4 mol l-1 NaOH 45 ml, pH10). The oven
temperature was maintained at 60 °C. Amino acids were eluted
from the column using stepwise elution, i.e., acidic amino acid first
followed by neutral and basic amino acids. Amino acid analysis
used the non-switching flow method where sodium hypochlorite
is added continuously as an oxidizing agent during elution to con-
vert secondary amines to primary amines. Post-column derivatisa-
tion was achieved with O-phthalaldehyde, and the fluorescence
(excitation 350 nm and fluorescence 450 nm) end products
detected. An amino acid standard (Sigma–Aldrich, MO, USA) was
also run from which amino acid concentrations were determined.
Data are expressed as mean percentage of total amino acids
obtained from triplicate determinations.
2.4. Fatty acid analysis
2.4.1. Chemicals used
Sodium hydroxide, methanol, sodium chloride, boron trifluo-
ride, petroleum ether (Merck, Mumbai, India).
Fatty acid analysis was performed using the method of
Metcalfe, Schimitz, and Peika (1966). Samples (0.2 g) were trans-
methylated in 6 ml 0.5 mol l-1 methanolic NaOH, and refluxed
under nitrogen for 10 min. BF3 solution (5 ml) was added and the
mixture boiled. Saturated NaCl solution (6 ml) was added and
phase separation carried with petroleum ether. The upper organic
layer was evaporated under vacuum. Fatty acids methyl esters
(FAME) were detected using gas chromatography (Thermoquest
Trace GC, Milan, Italy) equipped with a capillary column (Supel
co, Sigma–Aldrich, Germany) (30 m long and 0.54 mm diameter)
and a flame ionization detector. The carrier gas was nitrogen and
the flow rate was 0.8 ml/min. The temperature was programmed
from 170 °C to 250 °C with an increment of 1 °C/min up to
250 °C. Injector and detector temperatures were set at 260 °C and
275 °C, respectively. The FAME were identified by comparison with
retention times for authentic standards (Supel co 37 component
FAME mix, Sigma–Aldrich, Germany). Individual fatty acids are
expressed as a percentage of total fatty acids.
2.5. Antioxidant activity
2.5.1. Chemicals used
Folin–Ciocalteu’s reagent, gallic acid, 1,1-diphenyl-2-
picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ascorbic acid was purchased from
 A. Archana, K.R. Babu / Food Chemistry 197 (2016) 597–602 599

Sigma–Aldrich (Mumbai, India). All other solvents used were of
analytical grade.
2.5.2. Determination of total phenol content
Total phenol content of the gonads was measured using the
Folin–Ciocalteu method as described by Singleton and Rossi
(1965). The gonad extract (gonads soaked in methanol, 200 ll)
was added to 1 ml of 1:10 diluted Folin–Ciocalteu reagent and
incubated at room temperature for 5 min. Saturated sodium car-
bonate (800 ll) was added to the mixture and mixed gently. After
incubation at room temperature (120 min), the absorbance was
measured at 765 nm using a UV–VIS spectrophotometer (Perkin
Elmer Lamda, USA). Gallic acid (0–100 lg/ml) was used to create
calibration curve for determination of equivalent values. Total phe-
nolic content was expressed as gallic acid equivalent GAE/g of the
sample. All determinations were done in triplicates.
2.5.3. Determination of DPPH radical scavenging activity
The DPPH radical scavenging activity assay, as described by
Chan, Lim, and Omar (2007) was adopted with slight modification.
0.1 mM of DPPH was prepared in 96% methanol. This solution
(1 ml) was added to the extract (3 ml) at different concentrations
(20–100 lg/ml). The mixture was shaken vigorously and left to
stand in the dark for 30 min. The absorbance of the resulting solu-
tion was measured spectrophotometrically at 517 nm. Ascorbic
acid was used as the standard. The percentage scavenging activity
of DPPH was then calculated using the equation: DPPH scavenging
activity = 100  (Ac
As)/Ac where, Ac is the absorbance of the
control and As is the absorbance of the sample. Antioxidant activ-
ities of the extracts were expressed as IC50, calculated from the
graph plotting scavenging activity against sample concentration.
IC50 is the concentration of the sample required to scavenge half
the DPPH free radical. All the determinations were performed in
triplicate.
2.6. Statistical analysis
All the data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD)
(n = 3) calculated using MS-Excel.
the present study, the total protein content of S. variolaris gonads
(12.10% ± 0.41) was similar to that of P. lividus (12.03% ± 1.26)
(Dincer & Cakli, 2007), but higher than S. droebacheinsis
(7.4% ± 0.2) (Liyana-Pathirana, Shahidi, & Whittick, 2002a;
Montero-Torreiro & Garcia-Martinez, 2003) and other echinoid
species reported by Chen et al. (2010). This variation in the protein
content might explain in part differences in organoleptic proper-
ties of the various species (Chen et al., 2010).
Lipids were a significant component (Table 1) with values
greater than other sea urchins, such as P. lividus (3.05% ± 0.5)
(Mol et al., 2008) and S. droebacheinsis (4.7%) (Liyana-Pathirana
et al., 2002a). These results indicated that lipid is an important
storage nutrient for the development and maturity of sea urchin
gonads (Gonzalez-Duran, Castell, Robinson, & Blair, 2008). The car-
bohydrate content of S. variolaris gonads was very low
(1.63% ± 0.18). Low content of carbohydrates was also reported in
P. lividus (Dincer & Cakli, 2007). The low carbohydrate content
might be related to the stage of development (Chen et al., 2010).
Total energy levels of S. variolaris gonad, on dry weight basis
(122.04 ± 2.03 kcal/100 g) was higher than that reported in other
sea urchin P. lividus (107.81 ± 4.98 kcal/100 g) (Mol et al., 2008).
In sea urchins, biochemical composition varies with season, food
availability and quality, temperature, and reproductive cycle
(Cook, Hughes, Orr, Kelly, & Black, 2007; Dincer & Cakli, 2007).
3.2. Amino acid composition
The amino acid composition is shown in Table 2. In general, the
amino acid composition is important in two aspects, namely nutri-
tion and flavour (Dincer & Cakli, 2007). Not only are they building
blocks for proteins but also, in the free form, have a major role in
taste and sensory aspects of numerous foods (Osako et al., 2006).
Glycine and alanine contribute to sweetness, while valine is bitter,
and glutamine contributes to umami (Komata, 1964). In the pre-
sent study, it was observed that tyrosine and glutamic acid were
the most abundant amino acids. The amino acid composition of
S. variolaris gonads was similar to that reported earlier for other
urchin species (Dincer & Cakli, 2007; Gracia et al., 2000;

Table 2
3. Results and discussion Amino acid composition of sea urchin S. variolaris gonads.

Amino acids % composition in gonadsa

3.1. Proximate composition and energetic values
Essential amino acids
Histidine 2.3 ± 0.16
The proximate composition and energy values for sea urchin
Isoleucine 3.3 ± 0.16
S. variolaris gonads compared with P. lividus are presented in Leucine 4.0 ± 0.33
Table 1. In the present study, protein was the main constituent; Lysine 5.5 ± 0.08
lipid content was relatively abundant but carbohydrates levels Methionine 0.6 ± 0.20
were low. The moisture content of S. variolaris gonads Phenylalanine 6.9 ± 0.25
Threonine 4.4 ± 0.16
(77.53% ± 0.80) was similar to that observed in other species
Valine 5.1 ± 0.30
(Dincer & Cakli, 2007; Gracia et al., 2000). The ash content Total (EAA)b 32.1
(3.76% ± 0.25) of the gonad was higher than those reported for P.
Nonessential amino acids
lividus (2.25% ± 0.24) (Dincer & Cakli, 2007), indicating a high min- Arginine 9.3 ± 0.08
eral content. Proteins are the main reserves of S. variolaris gonad. In Aspartic acid 11.2 ± 0.40
Serine 5.6 ± 0.16
Glutamic acid 14.4 ± 0.16
Table 1 Proline 0.6 ± 0.16
Biochemical composition and energy values of sea urchins S. variolaris and P. lividus Glycine 2.8 ± 0.33
gonads (dry weight basis). Alanine 4.6 ± 0.41
Cysteine 0.0
Composition of gonads S. variolaris P. lividus Tyrosine 19.7 ± 0.70
Moisture (%) 77.53 ± 0.80 79.65 ± 0.65 Total (NEAA)c 67.2
Proteins (%) 12.10 ± 0.41 12.03 ± 1.26 EAA/NEAA 0.5
Lipids (%) 4.98 ± 0.30 3.05 ± 0.5 a
Data is expressed as mean % of total amino acids obtained from triplicate
Ash (%) 3.76 ± 0.25 2.25 ± 0.24
determinations.
Carbohydrates (%) 1.63 ± 0.18 3.02 ± 0.12 b
EAA, essential amino acids
Energy (kcal/100 g) 122.04 ± 2.03 107.81 ± 4.98 c
NEAA, nonessential amino acids.
600 A. Archana, K.R. Babu / Food Chemistry 197 (2016) 597–602

Mamelona & Peltetier, 2010; Mol et al., 2008). As with other nutri- (n
9) and C16:1 (n
7) were also found in S. variolaris gonads.
ents, amino acid composition varies with diet and gonadal lifestage Among PUFA, C20:5 (n
3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and
(Liyana-Pathirana et al., 2002a). The percentage of essential amino C20:4 (n
6), arachidonic acids were present in higher proportion;
acids in S. variolaris was 32.1%, which is similar to Strongylocentro- similar results were observed elsewhere (Arafa, Chouaibi, Sadok, &
tus nudus (Weiding, Ping, Limei, Zunchun, & Jiabo, 2009). The El Abed, 2012; Liyana-Pathirana et al., 2002b; Mol et al., 2008).
essential (EAA) to non essential amino acid (NEAA) ratio was 0.5 Omega-3, PUFA such as C20:5 (n
3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
in this study, which is comparable with P. lividus (0.58 ± 0.01) and C22:6 (n
3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are important in
(Mol et al., 2008). Usually in marine foods, EAA:NEAA greater than human nutrition and results showed they were found in consider-
0.5 indicate a useful source of dietary proteins (Mamelona & able quantities in S. variolaris gonads. Similar observation was
Peltetier, 2010). made by Liyana-Pathirana et al. (2002b) in S. droebacheinsis. It
has also been reported that a high proportion of EPA reflects the
presence of algal material in the diet of sea urchin (Arafa et al.,
3.3. Fatty acid composition 2012). Indeed, algae may be the main sources of fatty acids
(Cook, Bell, Black, & Kelly, 2000). As with the other nutrients, qual-
The fatty acid composition S. variolaris gonads is shown in the ity of the diet, temperature variations and reproductive stage also
Table 3. Fatty acid composition is important as it influences flavour affect the fatty acid composition (Arafa et al., 2012). The ratio of
and storage characteristics. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) were the omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids is significant nutrition-
most dominant group (61.13% ± 1.0) compared with monounsatu- ally; in the present study, the ratio was 0.94. Excess intake of x-6
rated fatty acids (MUFA) (16.91% ± 0.8) and polyunsaturated fatty fatty acids in human diet, compared with x-3 fatty acids, leads to
acid (PUFA) (22.01% ± 2.2). Among saturated fatty acids, C14:0 formation of eicosanoids, specifically prostaglandins, thrombox-
and C16:0 were dominant. Similar observations were made in anes, hydroxyl fatty acid and lipoxin. These metabolic products
S. droebacheinsis (Liyana-Pathirana, Shahidi, Whittick, & Hooper, contribute to the formation of thrombus and inflammatory disor-
2002b) and in P. lividus (Mol et al., 2008). In 1970, Fujino, ders. Diets rich in x-3 fatty acids protect against cardiovascular
Negishi, and Umatani also reported that these fatty acids were diseases, especially acute complications of coronary heart disease
predominant in the sea urchin A. crassipina, Strongylocentrotus (Simopoulos, 1991).
pulcherrimus, Strongylocentrotus franciscanus, S. intermedius and
Echinus esculentus. Among the MUFA, C20:1 (n
9) was predomi-
3.4. Antioxidant activity
nant in S. varolaris (Table 3). Earlier studies reported that C20:1
(n
9) was higher than other MUFAs in sea urchin species; the con-
3.4.1. Total phenol content
tent is influenced by de novo synthesis rather than diet (Liyana-
Phenols are a class of low molecular weight secondary metabo-
Pathirana et al., 2002b; Takagi, Eaton, & Ackman, 1980). C18:1
lites. The total phenolic content of a methanolic extract of sea
urchin gonads was obtained on the basis of a standard curve of gal-
Table 3 lic acid (Fig. 1) as 9.9 mg GAE/g. Phenolic compounds are consid-
Fatty acid composition of sea urchin S. variolaris gonads. ered important as bioactive dietary compounds with putative
Fatty acids % composition in gonads* health benefits. They are able to terminate free radicals and chelate
metal ions, which are capable of catalyzing formation of ROS and
C12:0 0.44 ± 0.1
C14:0 25.8 ± 0.2
promoting lipid peroxidation (Mamelona & Peltetier, 2010).
C15:0 1.52 ± 0.0
C16:0 20.7 ± 0.0 3.4.2. DPPH radical scavenging activity
C17:0 0.65 ± 0.1
C18:0 5.68 ± 0.0
In this study, the antioxidant capacity of a methanolic extract of
C20:0 5.86 ± 0.2 S. variolaris gonads was evaluated using the DPPH radical scaveng-
C22:0 0.21 ± 0.1 ing assay. DPPH radical scavenging activity assesses the capacity of
C23:0 0.27 ± 0.3 an extract to donate hydrogen or scavenge free radicals, such as
R SFAa 61.13 ± 1.0
superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. When the DPPH radical is scav-
C14:1 0.12 ± 0.0
C16:1 (n
7) 1.51 ± 0.0 enged, the reaction mixture changes from purple to yellow with
C17:1 0.12 ± 0.3 decreasing of absorbance at 517 nm. Figs. 2 and 3 show the per-
C18:1 (n
9) 5.07 ± 0.4 centage inhibition activity for the methanolic extract and ascorbic
C20:1 (n
9) 9.29 ± 0.1 acid, respectively, at various concentrations ranging from 20 lg/ml
C22:1 (n
9) 0.66 ± 0.0
to 100 lg/ml. The DPPH radical scavenging activities of the extract
C24:1 0.14 ± 0.0
R MUFAb 16.91 ± 0.8 increased gradually in a dose dependent manner. At a concentra-
C18:3 (n
3) 0.92 ± 0.0 tion of 100 lg/ml, the methanolic extract and ascorbic acid
C20:3 (n
3) 0.37 ± 0.1
C20:5 (n
3) 8.67 ± 0.1
C22:6 (n
3) 1.06 ± 0.2
R x3 11.02 ± 0.4
C18:2 (n
6) 1.92 ± 0.3
C18:3 (n
6) 0.48 ± 0.4
C20:3 (n
6) 0.29 ± 0.0
C20:4 (n
6) 7.64 ± 0.1
R x6 10.33 ± 0.8
C22:1 (n
9) 0.66 ± 0.0
R PUFAc 22.01 ± 2.2
x6:x3 0.94
*
Data is expressed as mean % of total fatty acids obtained from triplicate
determination.
a
SFA saturated fatty acids.
b
MUFA mono unsaturated fatty acids.
c
PUFA poly unsaturated fatty acids. Fig. 1. Calibration curve for gallic acid.
 A. Archana, K.R. Babu / Food Chemistry 197 (2016) 597–602
Fig. 2. DPPH radical scavenging activity of methanolic extract of gonads of
S. variolaris.
Fig. 3. DPPH radical scavenging activity of ascorbic acid.
generates 89.57% and 79.64% inhibition, respectively, with IC50 val-
ues 57.81 lg/ml and 33.64 lg/ml, respectively (Figs. 2 and 3). The
lower the IC50 value, the greater the antioxidant value of the
extract.
In addition to fish and crustaceans, sea urchins are a good
sources of antioxidants (Ashraf Jazayeri, 2012). The antioxidant
potential of gonads from S. droebacheinsis (Mamelona & Peltetier,
2010) and S. nudus (Zhou et al., 2012) have been reported
previously. The gonads contain carotenoids and polyhydroxy
napthoquinone pigment, echinochrome-A, which possess potent
antioxidant activity (Popov & Krivoshapko, 2013). Hence, the
gonads of S. variolaris are new potential resources for natural
antioxidants.
4. Conclusion
The gonads of S. variolaris have high protein and lipid contents.
They are also a good source of PUFA and essential amino acids. The
biochemical profile is comparable with other commercially edible
species of sea urchins exploited in various parts of the world.
Besides their nutritional value, these sea urchin gonads possess
potent antioxidant activity. Thus, they may be an alternative
source for natural antioxidants in the international market if fur-
ther development strategies are employed to improve quality.
Acknowledgements
The corresponding author acknowledges the Department of
Science and Technology, Government of India for providing the
financial support to carry out the research work. The authors thank
the Head, Department of Marine Living Resources, Andhra
University for providing the necessary facilities. They also heartily
thank all the reviewers for their valuable suggestions on the paper.
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regard-
ing the publication of this paper.
601
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