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Vitamin C in marine copepods
Author(s) -
Poulet S. A.,
Hapette A. M.,
Cole R. B.,
Tabet J. C.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.1989.34.7.1325
Subject(s) - omnivore , zooplankton , ascorbic acid , nutrient , vitamin , biology , calanus , ecology , chemistry , environmental chemistry , zoology , copepod , crustacean , food science , biochemistry , predation
The occurrence and variation of l (+)‐ascorbic acid (vitamin C) have been investigated in marine copepods with a new anion‐exchange, high‐performance liquid chromatographic method. The occurrence of this compound in Calanus helgolandicus was verified with mass spectrometry. The observed contents ranged from traces in carnivorous species to >500 µ g g −1 wet weight in herbivorous‐omnivorous species. This is the first report of the presence of vitamin C in zooplankton. The variations of vitamin C observed in copepods may reflect the ecological importance of this nutrient in the marine food chain.