Biochemical studies on a little known marine gastropod Hemifusus pugilinus Born (Volemidae)

The chemical composition of the little known marine gastropod Hemifusus pugilinus belonging to the family Volemidae was investigated. Protein, carbohydrate, fat, water content, percentage of shell weight and trace metals like Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn of oven dried tissues were estimated for various length groups of males and females. The percentage shell weight varied from 61 to 68.5 in males and 59.4 to 69.7 in females. The percentage meat weight had the range of 20.9 to 24.3 and 19.7 to 25 in males and females respectively. Percentage water content accounted for 41.4 to 66.6 in males and 52.3 to 61.1 in females. Protein was found to be more than 33.1 to 55.9% in males and 33.8 to 49.78% in females. The range of carbohydrate and fat in males and females was 4.7 to 12.1 and 15-23.6% and 3.2 to 9.5 and 17 to 21.8% respectively. The trace metals level of males in the order of Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn was 521-687 41-61, 74-103, and 33-48 mu g/gm and that of females was 409-542 32-54, 109-113 and 27-36 mu g/gm dry tissue.