Abstract
A study was carried out on the changes of the contents of succinic acid and other components of the short-necked clam left in various environmental conditions, and the following results were obtained.
1) During the period from December through February, the quantity of succinic acid in the extrapallial fluid of the commercial short-necked clam was as much as 25 to 37% of the total succinic acid and the quantity in the flesh also was higher than that in the previous report observed at about the same period. 2) When the short-necked clam was exposed to the air for 24 hours, succinic acid increased in quantity both in the flesh and in the extrapallial fluid. Particulary in the extrapallial fluid, it remarkably increased from 0-10mg% in the control specimen to 72.4mg% in February specimen and 108.6mg% in September specimen occupying 56.4% and 42.7% of the total succinic acid, respectively. 3) When the short-necked clam was soaked in fresh water for 24 hours or in warm sea water of 35°C for 3 hours, succinic acid increased in quantity both in the flesh and in the extrapallial fluid. In the latter portion, succinic acid once occupied 60% of the total succinic acid. 4) When the short-necked clam was half-exposed for 7 days, succinic acid in the flesh decreased once and increased later. On the contrary, succinic acid in the extrapallial fluid increased at first and decreased later. Thus, the changes in the two portions did not necessarily show the same trand.
