Effects of Air Exposure and Re-Submersion on Oxidative Stress of Marine Gastropod, Babylonia areolata

The effects of air exposure on the antioxidant capacity of marine gastropod, Babylonia areolata, were evaluated. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels in the muscle and hepatopancreas in B. areolata were measured after air exposure and re-submersion. Results showed that SOD activity minimally increased in the hepatopancreas and muscle, after air exposure for 4h. SOD activity in the hepatopancreas was lower than the normal level after 20 h of air exposure and air exposure followed by 4 h of re-submersion. T-AOC levels in the hepatopancreas and muscle of B. areolata decreased significantly (P<0.05) following the period of air exposure. MDA content in the hepatopancreas of B. areolata subjected to air exposure for 24 and 28 h was significantly higher than the normal level. SOD activity in the hepatopancreas and T- AOC level in the hepatopancreas and muscle of B. areolata recovered to the normal level after 12 h of air exposure followed by 8 h of re-submersion. Air exposure can cause oxidative damage to B. areolata. The antioxidative system can be restored after air exposure for less than 12 h followed by re-submersion for 8 h.