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Life Science Research and Sustainable Development ISBN: 978-98-84663-33-9

biological functions. They are ubiquitous in their distribution and there is really no satisfactory
scheme of classifying them. The largest groups of proteins are the enzyme proteins provide rich
environment for the nourishment of cestodes. The cestodes utilize different degrees of protein for
producing energy. Literature reveals that the parasites able to adapt themselves to the parasitic
mode of life only due to protein usually constitutes between 20 and 40 % of the dry weight have
been reported (John Barrett 1981) . The higher content of lipid is found in older proglottids (Brand
and Van T. 1952) . It is revealed from the present study that there is high content of lipids in the
parasites and the parasites are taking advantage of host by absorbing most of the nourishing
material. The present investigation deals with the biochemical studies of Avitellina cestode in
ruminants Capra hircus.

Material and Methods
The cestodes were collected from the alimentary tract of Capra hircus and then washed with
distilled water. Collected cestodes were dried on the blotting paper keeping them to remove
excess water and transferred to watch glass and weighed on sensitive balance. After 50-60 C for
o
24 hrs, the dry weight was also taken. The estimation of protein content in the cestode parasites
were carried out by Lowry’s method (1951), the glycogen estimation were carried out by Kemp
et al. (1954) method and lipid estimation by Folch et al (1957) method.

Result and Discussion-
In the present investigation ,biochemical estimation in Cestode parasites i.e. Avitellina sp. was
carried out . It shows that the protein content of cestode Avitellina sp. obtained 16.49 mg/g weight
of tissue protein while infected intestine of ruminant Capra hircus obtained 42 mg/g weight of
tissue from above result it is concluded that the worm Avitellina maintain a good balance in
protein content with the host Capra hircus. Protein content is lower in cestode parasites as compare
to host. The glycogen content of Avitellina sp. obtained 22.97 mg/100 ml of solution. While
infected intestine of ruminant Capra hircus obtained 24.35 mg/100 ml of solution but the lipid
content of Avitellina sp. obtained 35.40 mg/ gm of weight of tissue while in infected intestine of
goat ,Capra hircus obtained 30.12 mg/gm of weight of tissue.
From the present experimental study it has been observed that the percentage of lipid is high in
parasites as compared to protein and glycogen. These parasites absorbing most of nourishment
from host and fulfilling its need and causing hindrance in the proper development of host (B. V.
Jadhav et al. 2008)

Table No. 1: Biochemical estimation of Avitellina sp. From host Capra hircus
Host infected intestine Cestode parasite
Name of parameter ( Capra hircus) ( Avitellina sp.)
Protein 42.00 mg/gm. wt. of tissue 16..49 mg/gm. wt. of tissue

Glycogen 24.35 mg/ 100ml of sol 22.97mg/ 100ml of sol
n
n

Lipids 30.12mg/gm wt. of tissue 35.40 mg/gm wt of tissue

https://jesjalna.org/Zoology-Publications/index.html 32 Department of Zoology, J. E. S. College, Jalna