Estimation of protein and reducing sugar in some mangroves at Mirya creek of Ratnagiri, Maharashtra

Abstract

Mangroves are salt-tolerant halophytic plants that thrive in intertidal regions of tropical and subtropical coastlines. Important ecological services provided by these special ecosystems include biodiversity support, coastline stabilization, and disaster mitigation from cyclones and tsunamis. Additionally, mangroves are abundant in bioactive substances that have both nutritional and therapeutic value. A biochemical examination was carried out in the present investigation to assess the amount of soluble protein and reducing sugars in some of the selected mangrove species from Mirya Creek in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra: Sonneratia alba, Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata, and Acanthus ilicifolius. Protein estimate was done using the Lowry method (1951), and reducing sugar estimation was done using the DNSA method (Miller, 1959).
The results showed that the biochemical components varied significantly between species. Acanthus ilicifolius had the lowest sugar levels (0.05 mg/g) and the greatest protein (0.88 mg/g), while Rhizophora mucronata had the highest protein (0.92 mg/g) and reduced sugar (0.43 mg/g). These variations point to species-specific saline stress adaptation strategies. The rise in soluble proteins in salinized environments may be associated with nitrogen storage, osmotic adjustment, and stress response. Higher decreasing sugar levels, on the other hand, might promote turgor maintenance and osmotic control. Different physiological responses to salinity are indicated by the different protein–sugar profiles of R. mucronata and A. ilicifolius. These results demonstrate the potential of employing such biochemical markers for evaluating salt tolerance and are consistent with other reports (e.g., Parida et al., 2004).