| Abstract
| - Free radical scavenging properties of hepatopancreas extracts of Pleoticus muelleri were evaluatedby electron paramagnetic spin resonance spectrometry methods (EPR) against the stable 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. The present study was carried out to characterize differentphysiological stages of the shrimp under environmental and nutritional stress, evaluating the effecton growth, survival, and functional morphology of the hepatopancreas. Feeding trials were carriedout on juveniles (1 g initial weight) held in aquaria. Each diet, with different concentrations of vitaminsA and E, was tested in triplicate groups during 25 days. The control groups were fed with fresh squidmantle and with a vitamin-free diet. For all of the diets, the extracts exhibited strong DPPH radicalscavenging activity, suggesting that the tissue is a powerful natural antioxidant. Individuals fed withdifferent concentrations of vitamin E showed the strongest effect on the DPPH radicals, reducing theDPPH radicals to 50%, after an incubation period of 3 min. In contrast, the extracts of control animals,fed with squid mantle, had the weakest antioxidant activity (4%). These data indicated that thepresence of vitamin E in the diet can provide immediate protection against free radicals. Keywords: Free radical scavenging; DPPH; electron paramagnetic spin resonance; antioxidant activity;hepatopancreas; Pleoticus muelleri
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