Effect of copper in protein, carbohydrate and lipid contents of the juvenile lobster, Panulirus homarus homarus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Copper is one of the most toxic metals for marine organisms. Biochemical changes occurring in the metabolically active tissues of gills (GL), hepatopancreas (HP) and muscles (MU) of the juvenile lobster, Panulirus homarus homarus on exposure to two sub-lethal doses (9.55 and 19.1 mu g l super(-1)) of copper were studied for 28 days of exposure (DoE). Sub-lethal doses of copper significantly (PHP>GL, HP>MU>GL and HP>MU>GL. Results of this study revealed that sub-lethal doses of copper significantly alter the proximate composition of major tissues, particularly the TP levels in the MU tissues and thereby reducing the nutritive value of this economically important spiny lobster.