Determination of biogenic amines and related compounds in the ganglia and the auricle and ventricle of the heart of the snail Helix lucorum L by HPLC with amperometric detection

Biogenic amines and related compounds in the suboesophageal ganglia and the auricle and ventricle of the heart of the snail Helix lucorum L. have been identified and quantified using the technique of reversed phase ion-pair HPLC with amperometric detection. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of two catecholamines, Dopamine (DA) and Norepinephrine (NE), one indoleamine, Serotonin (5HT), its immediate precursor 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) and their metabolites 3,4-Dihydroxy phenylacetic acid (DOPAC)and 5-Hydroxindole-3-acetic acid (5HIAA). Quantitatively, DA and SI-FT were the most prominent monoamines detected, with the ganglia containing the highest concentrations of both. The ganglia contained also assayable amounts of NE and DOPAC.