Authors : Zuki Abu Bakar Zakaria? , Norazri Zakaria? and Zaleha Kasimb
Abstract: The study was conducted to determine the composition of mineral content of cockle (Anadara granosa) shells, hard clam (Meretrix meretrix) shells and corals exoskeleton (Porites spp.) at three different levels of depths (5m, 10m and 15m). Three samples of corals exoskeleton (Porites spp.) collected from the sea at three different levels of depths (5m, 10m and 15m depths), the cockle (Anadara granosa) shells and the hard clam (Meretrix meretrix) shells were evaluated to determine the content of 12 macro- and micro-elements [Calcium(Ca), Carbon (C), Magnesium (Mg), Sodium (Na), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Ferum (Fe), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Zinc (Zn), Boron (B) and Silicon (Si)]. For convenience and ease of reference, Ca and C were combined into one unit (Calcium Carbonate, CaC) while Mg, Na, P and K was evaluated individually, and Fe, Cu, Ni, Zn, B and Si were evaluated as one group (others). Analysis of the elements content was done using an Inductively Coupled Plasma, Auto Analyzer, an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and Carbon Analyzer. Results in this study revealed that the composition of CaC, Mg and Na in the cockle (Anadara granosa) shells, hard clam (Meretrix meretrix) shells and the corals (Porites spp) at three different level of depths were similar with the value of more than 97% of the total elements content. Whereas the percentage of P, K and others constituents form the remaining of the elements.
Zuki Abu Bakar Zakaria? , Norazri Zakaria? and Zaleha Kasimb , 2004. Mineral Composition of the Cockle (Anadara granosa) Shells, Hard Clamp (Meretrix meretrix) Shells and Corals (Porites spp.): A Comparative Study . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 3: 445-447.