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

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.