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© The Author(s) 2025. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the "License"). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Amino acids play essential roles in various biological processes. In humans, most amino acids are present in the l-form; however, small amounts of d-amino acids also exist and have significant physiological roles, highlighting the importance of dietary intake from foods or drinks. In this study, we investigated the amino acid composition of the geoduck clam Panopea japonica, emphasizing its remarkably high d-alanine (d-Ala) content in the siphon tissue. The d-Ala content (6.99–14.2 mmol/100 g-wet) amounted to 91–94% of the total Ala, far exceeding that of other bivalves such as Tresus keenae (74%). Enzyme assays revealed alanine racemase and d-amino acid oxidase activities, suggesting active d-Ala biosynthesis and metabolism. The high concentrations of d-Ala enhance its value as a delicacy owing to its unique sweetness. This study provides new insights into the biosynthesis and metabolic characteristics of d-Ala in bivalves, highlighting its physiological and food ingredient significance.

Details

Title
d-Alanine content in the marine edible bivalve Panopea japonica and evaluation of its associated enzyme activities
Author
Onozato, Mayu 1 ; Takaura, Tomoya 1 ; Shinohara, Wataru 2 ; Tsukada, Takehiro 3 ; Sakamoto, Tatsuya 1 ; Okoshi, Kenji 4 ; Fukushima, Takeshi 1 

 Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, 274-8510, Funabashi-shi, Chiba, Japan (ROR: https://ror.org/02hcx7n63) (GRID: grid.265050.4) (ISNI: 0000 0000 9290 9879) 
 Chiba Municipal Chiba High School, 9-46-1 Konakadai, Inage-ku, 263-0043, Chiba-shi, Chiba, Japan 
 Department of Biomolecular Science, Faculty of Science, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, 274-8510, Funabashi-shi, Chiba, Japan (ROR: https://ror.org/02hcx7n63) (GRID: grid.265050.4) (ISNI: 0000 0000 9290 9879) 
 Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, 274-8510, Funabashi-shi, Chiba, Japan (ROR: https://ror.org/02hcx7n63) (GRID: grid.265050.4) (ISNI: 0000 0000 9290 9879); Toyo Institute of Food Technology, 4-23-2 Minami-Hanayashiki, 666-0026, Kawanishi-shi, Hyogo, Japan (ROR: https://ror.org/03pjf9v33) (GRID: grid.474292.e) (ISNI: 0000 0005 0379 4405) 
Pages
25415
Section
Article
Publication year
2025
Publication date
2025
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
20452322
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3230015559
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2025. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the "License"). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.