Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Marine Ecology-Progress Series

Publication Date

5-22-1986

First Page

159

Last Page

165

Issue Number

40577

Volume Number

30

Abstract/ Summary

Proteinaceous material in marine sediments which is available to proteolytic hydrolysis has been measured using a new method. This technique utilizes Coomassie Blue dye binding, which has the advantage of being sensitive only to larger polypeptides. Substantial interferences from other sedmentary organic substances are overcome by using a standard additions approach in conjunction with enzymatic digestion of the protein. Although tedious, the technique provides acceptable precision and accuracy. Measurements of protein in surficial nearshore sediments of the Gulf of Maine and St. Croix yield values ranging from 0.1 to 2.2 mg g-1, which account for a minor fraction of total nitrogen or acid-hydrolyzable amino acids. Protein decreases downcore at a faster rate than either of these 2 indicators of nitrogenous material, indicating the greater lability of the truly proteinaceous material. Biomass comprises a minor portion of the measured protein.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Mayer LM, Schick LL, Setchell FW. Measurement of Protein in Nearshore Marine Sediments. Marine Ecology-Progress Series. 1986;30: 159-165.

Publisher Statement

Copyright 1986 Inter-Research.

DOI

10.3354/meps030159

Version

publisher's version of the published document

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