The biochemical composition ofLepas anatifera(L.) cement (Crustacea: Cirripedia)

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In an earlier study of the biochemical composition of barnacle cement, Walker (1972) found that the cements of two sessile barnacles,Balanus hameriandB. crenatuscontained small amounts of lipid (< 1% of total dry wt.) and carbohydrate (♎ 2% of total dry wt.) but were mainly composed of protein ( > 85 % ° of total dry wt.). Lindner & Dooley (1973) similarly found that a large proportion ofB. crenatuscement was protein (80%), but Cook (1970) found only 70% protein, lipid (27.4%) being the other major constituent. There is therefore general agreement that barnacle cement is mainly a proteinaceous secretion, but controversy still exists over the amount of lipid present.