Proximate biochemical variations in eggs of the prawn Macrobrachium americanum (Bate, 1869) during its embryonic development

Eggs of seven females were sampled to analyse the lipid, protein and carbohydrate content during the embryonic development of the prawn Macrobrachium americanum. Sampling was performed from recently spawned eggs to hatching. A hundred of eggs were sampled every 48 h during the trial. Proteins, lipids and carbohydrates were quantified. Proteins were the most abundant component, followed by lipids and carbohydrates as only minor constituents. Lipid decreased significantly from 42% to 23% of the total composition, while proteins increased from 55% to 76% and carbohydrates varied inconsistently. The change in total energy per egg through time during the embryonic development is represented by the equation y=-0.0133x+0.334; r(2)=0.94 (y represents the energy content and x represents days). The main energy provider was lipids whose energy consumption is described by the equation y=-0.0158x+0.203; r(2)=0.96.