Fasciola gigantica: Eggshell solubility and permeability properties

Abstract

The cross-linkages contained within the proteinaceous opercular cement seal holding the egg operculum of Fasciola gigantica solubilised in 0.1N saturated NaOH, concentrated HCl, H2SO4 and H3PO4, whereas the quinone tanned eggshell solubilised only in concentrated HNO3 and NaOCl. In TCA, H3BO3 and CH3COOH, the cross linkages of proteinaceous opercular cement and the quinone tanned eggshell remained unaffected. This study has shown that the cross linkages of the opercular cement, the operculum and the quinone-tanned eggshell differ in their permeability and solubility properties.