Quantitative analysis of carnosine, anserine, and homocarnosine in skeletal muscle of aquatic species from east China sea

• Published in: Biochemistry and biophysics reports 2021-03, Vol.25, p.100880-100880, Article 100880
• Main Authors: Wang, Chun-yue, Li, Yan-rong, Pan, Chen, Chen, Jian, Jiang, Wei, Li, Wei-nan, Zhang, Xiao-lin, Liao, Zhi, Yan, Xiao-jun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anserine; Aquatic species; Carnosine; Histidine-containing dipeptide; Homocarnosine
• ISSN: 2405-5808; 2405-5808
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2020.100880

Histidine-containing dipeptides (HCDs) are a family of non-protein, nitrogen-containing compounds with multiple physiological roles and are mainly present in excitable tissues of vertebrates. The distribution of HCDs in various animal species has been the subject of study for nearly 100 years. The aim of this research was to determine the content of the HCDs in the aquatic species collected from the Zhoushan fishing ground of the East China Sea. Using LC-MS/MS technology, the occurrence of carnosine, anserine, and homocarnosine in skeletal muscle of 38 aquatic species (26 teleosts, 6 molluscs, and 6 crustaceans) and chicken breast was investigated. Of the 38 aquatic species examined, 24 species (23 teleosts and 1 mollusc) contained considerable amounts (>5 ng/g wet tissue) of HCDs, and anserine was the major component of HCDs in their skeletal muscles. Only 5 teleosts contained homocarnosine. Most invertebrates, with the exception of the sepia Uroteuthis chinensis, did not contain HCDs. The present findings greatly expand the HCD distribution data and provide insight into understanding the roles of HCDs in different animals and a nutritional assessment for marine aquatic species. •carnosine, anserine, and homocarnosine were determined in 38 marine species.•Almost all the tested fish contain histidine-containing dipeptides.•The highest value was presented in migratory pelagic fishes.•The anserine is the major component in marine species.•No HCD can be detected in invertebrates with the exception of the family Loliginidae.