Echinocrome A from coelomic fluid of Arbacia stellata (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) with interest for aquaculture

Abstract

Within the framework of the generation of research studies in applied biology for the diversification of aquaculture in Ecuador, the native sea urchin Arbacia stellata was considered with potential for its aquaculture and extraction of macroenergetic biomolecules usable for the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. A total of 150 sea urchins were collected from the Ecuadorian continental coast between October 2019 and March 2020. The content of the pigment equinochrome naphthoquinone A (Ech-A) in the coelomic fluid was evaluated from (i) small individuals: 16.3 ± 0.3 mm of test diameter, TD; 2.8 ± 0.3 g, and (ii) large individuals: 45.7 ± 0.4 mm TD; 56.4 ± 1.1 g. The absorbance values ​​(expressed in optical density) were reported in two wavelengths: 387 and 487 nm. There was interaction between large individuals who recorded the highest absorbance peaks for Ech-A at both wavelengths (387 nm: 0.10 ± 0.008 and 487 nm: 0.05 ± 0.005; P <0.05). The results of this study are consistent with the findings in other species of sea urchins, where the highest production of Ech-A in coelomic fluid occurs in larger individuals detected at an absorbance of 387 nm.