Sea cucumber or sea cucumber. Description, lifestyle, photos of sea cucumbers. Sea cucumber. Lifestyle and habitat of the sea cucumber Sea cucumber

Marine biologists have been interested in holothurians since the last century. Holothurian researcher Cooper studied the irritation that occurs on the skin upon contact with sticky threads that some species of holothurians protect themselves with. They throw out these threads (Cuvier organs) if they feel danger. Holothurian toxins were studied by Yamanouchi and Nigrelli. These scientists were able to isolate a toxin called holothurin from holothurians. Extracts from the Cuvier organs of holothurians have been found to be more toxic than extracts from body tissues.

Yamanuchi found that fish placed in the same container with the sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota did not get sick as long as this sea creature was not damaged. If it is damaged, then all the fish die when it dissolves in water poisonous substance. Despite the fact that the toxin is present in water at an extremely low dilution, it is lethal to many species of marine and freshwater fish. Scientists have even suggested using holothurin to scare away sharks, which immediately leave the area if this toxin is present in the water, even in very low concentrations. These properties of holothurians have long been known to the inhabitants of the islands of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, they used the toxic substances secreted by holothurians in order to paralyze fish in reservoirs. Then the fish was boiled for a long time so that it became non-toxic to humans.

The American Nigrelli was the first to isolate holothurin in 1952. It turned out that not all types of holothurians secrete holothurin, but only some species. The first experiments of researchers led by Nigrelli in 1952 showed that the extract of Cuvier's organs causes the regression of cancers in experimental groups of animals.

• Chemical study of holothurin showed that it belongs to triterpene glycosides. Then similar compounds were found in other groups of animals.
• Holothurian saponins have high biological activity, including antitumor and antimicrobial effects, and increase the phagocytic activity of leukocytes.
• From holothurians, a compound was isolated that regulates cardiac activity and enhances metabolic processes, has a tonic effect.
• In the venom of holothurians, physiologically active substances were found - glycosides, which consist of a water-soluble aglycone (holothurian A) and a water-insoluble aglycone having a steroid structure (holothurian B). Holothurin A has a pronounced neurogenic effect, similar in action to tetrodotoxin.
• In 1980, Soviet scientists reported that triterpene glycosides, sticholosides, were also isolated from trepangs. These substances are similar to panaxosides derived from ginseng.
• The holotoxin showed nice results in the treatment of skin fungal diseases. It has a high antifungal activity against Trichomonas and Candida, and, most importantly, does not give side effects.

Those types of holothurians that secrete the toxin have a specific structure - instead of cholesterol, their cell membranes consist of unusual sterols. Delta-7-sterols were found in most of the studied holothurians. Other substances that can destroy cell membranes have also been isolated from holothurians. For use in medicinal purposes This property of toxins is important, since such substances can destroy the membranes of tumor cells.

At present, Russian scientists are studying Far Eastern holothurians, their chemical structure, biological activity of toxins. Careful study of the chemical structure and biological properties various series of compounds contained in Far Eastern holothurians is very important for bioorganic chemistry and pharmacology. New information will help you better understand biological significance natural toxins and sterols. Far Eastern researchers hope to isolate new, not yet studied toxins from sponges and holothurians. Then it will be necessary to establish their chemical structure and study the biochemical properties.

Research has already been done and comparative analysis five species of holothurians of the genus Cucumaria (Holothurioidea, Echinodermata). As a result of the study, it turned out that the set of aglycones is individual for each type of glycoside. In all studied holothurians, glycosides with a trisulfated pentasaccharide carbohydrate chain were found. The glycosides of the studied species of Cucumaria differ significantly from the glycosides of Aslia lefevrei and Pseudoocnus echinata, which confirms the earlier separation of these species from the genus Cucumaria. Triterpene glycosides of cucumaria (saponins, cucumariosides, holothurins) are very important for pharmacology, these substances block the reproduction of harmful fungal and yeast microflora. In addition, such glycosides reduce the growth of tumor cells.

Since Dr. Nigrelli discovered the antitumor effect of holothurian glycosides more than half a century ago, holothurian researchers from different countries conducted many experiments that confirmed the anticancer activity of substances isolated from holothurians. Research continues, but, despite the fact that holothurians have not yet revealed all their secrets to us, many properties of holothurian glycosides that are important for medicine have already been confirmed.

Sea cucumbers are invertebrates of the echinoderm type, in general, molluscs. The currently existing 1150 species, included in 6 orders, have differences in appearance, color, shape of tentacles and rings, as well as internal structure. Closest relatives - sea ​​urchins and stars. In Russia, there are about 100 species of these worm-like animals, the most popular of which are the Far Eastern trepang and Japanese sea cucumber (cucumaria), from which tasty and healthy dishes are prepared.

Appearance of sea cucumber holothuria

Sea cucumber Holothuria - a unique inhabitant underwater world. It looks like both a large clumsy caterpillar and a huge worm. The soft body of these invertebrates, depending on the species, may be rough or smooth, may be covered with long or short outgrowths. Representatives of holothurians are colored black, brown, green, gray or red. Sea cucumbers, depending on the species, also differ in their size, which varies from 0.5 centimeters to 5 meters, which makes them attractive to sea hunters.

The sea cucumber, the photo of which is presented, is slow and crawls slowly, alternately stretching and contracting. In their normal state, cucumbers lie on one side, which greatly facilitates their capture.

Medicinal properties of holothuria

The sterility of meat, the complete absence of viruses or diseases, the huge content of iodine - all this is a sea cucumber. The medicinal properties of the product allow it to be used as a natural remedy for quick recovery after illness or surgery. Oriental doctors prescribe gourmet trepan meat to accelerate tissue regeneration, stimulate the heart muscle, lower blood pressure, normalization of metabolic processes and even getting rid of tachycardia and bradycardia.

Another useful property of the sea cucumber of holothuria is its therapeutic effect on the joints, which is used in the treatment of arthritis. Substances contained in the meat of a marine life can relieve pain and reduce joint stiffness.

Trepang extract, obtained according to a unique recipe of oriental medicine, has gained wide popularity. Sea cucumber extract has exactly the same beneficial properties. medicinal properties like its fresh meat. It is especially recommended to use as a dietary supplement for the elderly and those who suffer from chronic diseases. Chinese doctors claim that the extract saturates the body with a complex of necessary elements, improves immunity, cardiovascular and nervous systems, prolongs life. Cucumaria sea cucumber tissues contain vitamins of groups C and B, calcium, phosphorus, iodine, chlorine and amino sugars. Toxic Substances holothurins are widely used in pharmacology.

Thus, the delicacy meat of marine invertebrates is an excellent raw material for the production of unique medicinal extracts, as well as extracts, on the basis of which medications. And they cook from sea cucumber delicious salads and use it as an independent dish (fried, stewed or canned).

The use of sea cucumber in food

Some types of sea cucumber, which are also called trepangs, are eaten and considered real delicacies. The invertebrate fishery is carried out off the coast of China, Japan and in the south Pacific Ocean, in Russia - in the Far East.

Sea cucumber (you can choose the cooking recipe according to your taste) can be fried, dried, canned. This is an incredibly tasty and healthy product. One “but”: it becomes tasty only when it is cooked with any aromatic products, since they perfectly absorb odors. The Japanese eat it raw, believing that it gives a restorative and healing effect. Indeed, a marine animal contains vitamins, beneficial amino acids and trace elements.

Appetizer of fresh trepang

Thoroughly cleaned and washed trepang is cut into small pieces, poured soy sauce and seasoned with garlic to taste. Marinate 5 minutes. One large trepang is enough for a whole company of six people.

Chinese cuisine recipes from boiled trepang

• Trepang (sea cucumber), the photo of which is presented below, is boiled in boiling water. For the finished dish, they are cut into slices and poured with carrot sauce.
• Sea cucumber makes very tasty soup if you add fragrant Chinese mushrooms with young shoots of bamboo. This is super diet food.
• Dried sea cucumbers are pre-soaked for several hours, and then boiled and used in salads or snacks.

Sea cucumber recipe with vegetables

Soak two boiled-frozen cucumbers in cold water for 20 minutes.

Rinse thoroughly and cut into 2.5 cm thick slices.

Fill a deep saucepan halfway with water and place over medium heat.

Peel 100 g of ginger root, cut into cubes and dip into the pan.

When the water boils, put the sea cucumbers there for 2 minutes, then put them in a colander and put them in a dry container.

Peel and cut 2 carrots and 2 onions into thin strips, also chop 200-300 g of cabbage.

Separately cut into cubes 200 g smoked brisket.

Put a frying pan with 3 tbsp on medium heat. oil and put the cabbage, simmer for 15 minutes.

Add a little water so that it does not burn, pepper and put the smoked brisket, simmer, stirring, for 15 minutes.

In another pan, fry in 3 tbsp. butter onion and carrot, add finely chopped green onion and parsley (3 feathers each), sea cucumbers, simmer for 5 minutes.

When the cabbage is translucent, add the mixture from the second pan, sprinkle with sesame seeds and cover. Stirring occasionally, cook the dish for 10-15 minutes over low heat. Salt a little, let it brew for 5-7 minutes. Served hot with spicy sauces.

sea ​​cucumber caviar recipe

Boiled sea cucumber is ground in a large meat grinder.

Onions are cut, carrots are rubbed.

Sea cucumber with vegetables is stewed for 15 minutes in a pan in oil, you can add fresh tomatoes or pasta. Salt and pepper to taste. Can be seasoned with soy sauce.

"Skoblyanka" from trepang

Salt is fried in a pan, 100 g is added vegetable oil and fried 2 onions, cut into rings.

Boiled trepang is cut across into rings and added to the pan with onions.

After a couple of minutes, two sliced ​​\u200b\u200bcircles are placed there. large tomatoes or two tablespoons of tomato paste, salt, black pepper.

Let it boil for a few minutes, turn off the heat, cool. Squeeze a clove of garlic and let it brew under the lid.

Often on sale you can find trepangs in dried form, covered with black coal dust - this protects them from spoilage. To prepare a dish from such a mollusk, it must first be kept for two days in cold water, periodically replacing the water. But trepang will increase several times in volume. Before subjecting it to heat treatment, the abdomen is cut and cleaned of the insides.

Boil trepang for 2-3 hours until soft. And then you can use it for cooking hodgepodge, cabbage soup, all kinds of salads, snacks, vegetable casseroles and other dishes. Whatever you choose as a culinary experiment, in any case, you will be satisfied!

Belongs to the type of echinoderms, an invertebrate animal. In another way it is called sea cucumber or sea egg. Among them there are edible species, which are referred to as - "trepang".

Holothuria includes a huge number of species, more than 1100 species, all species are divided into 6 orders. The difference between the orders lies in the variety of tentacle shapes and the different presentation of the calcareous ring. Structure internal organs also differs among representatives of different groups.

Only 100 species are distributed in Russia. Findings of fossils of various types of holothurians are related to the Silurian period (the third period of the Paleozoic, following the Ordovician).

Biological facts about holothurians

How do holothurians differ from other echinoderms?

In general, the peculiarity of holothurians is the presence of an elongated, worm-like, oblong body shape, a spherical shape is less common.

Also, holothurians do not have spines, their skin skeleton is reduced, it consists of small calcareous bones. They have a five-ray body symmetry, and many organs are located bilaterally.

The skin of these sea ​​cucumbers rough to the touch, with numerous wrinkles. The body has a dense wall with high turgor (density). The muscle bundles are highly developed. The esophagus is surrounded by longitudinal muscles, they are attached to the calcareous ring. One end of the body is represented by a mouth, and the other end has an anus. The mouth around is topped with tentacles, their function is to capture food and transfer it to the intestine, which is twisted into a spiral.

For breathing, holothurians have a special ambulacral (hydraulic) system, as well as water lungs. They are represented by bags that open in front of the anus into the cloaca.

Sea cucumbers lie on the bottom, on their side, which is not feature for other echinoderms. The ventral side is represented by three rows of ambulacral legs, and the dorsal side consists of two rows of such legs. The ventral side is called the trivium, and the dorsal side is called the bivium. Some holothurians living in deep water have very elongated ambulacral legs, which they use as stilts. Other species move with the help of muscles, which are reduced according to the type of peristalsis.

Basically, holothurians are painted black, green color, sometimes with brown tones. Body length has a very wide variation, from 3 cm to 2 meters. There is also a species whose length is five meters.

Nutrition and lifestyle of holothurians

The sea cucumber is a crawling animal that moves little. Widely distributed in any part of the ocean, at any depth. Found in the most deep sea trenches ah, and also on the coastline. Coral reefs are a place where holothurians accumulate in especially large numbers. The dominant number of species lead a purely bottom lifestyle, however, there are those who live in the water column or close to the surface. This way of life is called pelagic.

The mouth end is always raised. For food, holothurians consume plankton, as well as any organic remains found in the silt. They absorb them along with the sand and pass them through the digestive tract, where everything is filtered. But some species filter with tentacles that are covered with mucus.

During periods of strong irritation, they discard part of the intestine through the anus, as well as part of the water lungs. In this special way they protect themselves from attackers, their organs are then restored in a short time. It also happens that they also throw out toxic Cuvier tubes. Holothurians often fall prey to gastropods, fish, some crustaceans and starfish. An interesting fact is that fieraspheres - small fish and even crabs - can settle in their lungs.

Reproduction method and development cycle of sea cucumbers

The genital organ of the holothurian is single, represented by a gonad, and consists of tubes assembled into a bundle. The egg is most often fertilized outside the body, development also occurs in vitro. Sometimes holothurians show dexterity and capture eggs with tentacles, throw them on the dorsal side of the body, in exceptional cases the egg is located inside the body.

The egg undergoes a number of changes. Metamorphoses begin with a larva capable of swimming, but the initial form, characteristic of all echinoderms, is represented by a dipleurula, which after a few days becomes an auricularia, and then a doliolaria. There are other larval forms, such as vitellaria and pentactulae, they are inherent in other species of holothurians. Sea cucumbers live, on average 5 - 10 years.

Sea cucumber, sea cucumber, sea pods - that's all different names one marine echinoderm invertebrate mollusk that looks like a fat caterpillar. There are over a thousand species of this mollusk, sea cucumber trepang is a number of subspecies that are edible and are used for food. Differences between species relate to the structure of the tentacles, size and internal organs.

These animals live in the depths of marine salt waters, the average depth at which they are found is about 100 m. The oval body of the mollusk can resemble a cucumber, it is covered with thick skin and spikes, sometimes very similar to cucumber pimples.

The appearance of the holothurian

Holothuria is a unique mollusk of its kind, it resembles both a worm and a caterpillar. His body is soft, in some cases the skin can be smooth, in others - rough and in growths. Depending on the type spikes are short and long. The color of the sea cucumber also differs from one species to another, but dark tones predominate: gray, green, black, brown.

The variety of sizes of holothurians is impressive, the smallest representatives do not exceed 0.5 cm, and the largest can reach 5 meters! By this they attract hunters of marine animals.

Holothurians cannot chew or grind food; there are no teeth or other devices for this in the mouth. The mouth is located at the front end of the body. Some species resemble a ball or flask, they are able to attach themselves to rocks or burrow into silt, this is possible due to the location of the mouth closer to the back.

A distinctive feature of holothurians is the presence of tentacles around the mouth, these are modified ambulacral legs. Their structure is different, and the number varies from 10 to 30 pieces. The function of the tentacles is to capture and catch food from the bottom or body of water.

The fact that the holothurian has such extraordinary look, does not make it difficult to determine by eye the dorsal and abdominal regions. The morphological structure of the belly of the sea cucumber is strikingly different from other animals. The holothurian always moves on its side, so the names of the dorsal and abdominal regions do not quite coincide with the usual ideas about them.

The head and body of the sea cucumber are in most cases inseparable, but some forms of holothurians have noticeable borders that separate the head from the rest of the body. This is a very slow animal that moves by contracting and unclenching. But most It spends its life just lying on its side, so their capture is quite simple. To a greater extent, trapping consists of searching for an animal, rather than semey catching.

One species of Holothurian is the Giant California Sea Cucumber, an absolutely unique animal. Despite the fact that he has a completely ordinary mouth, he also uses an anus as a mouth. The airways of these animals also located in the anus. Therefore, it turns out that their anus performs three vital important functions in the body.

There are cases when these animals reproduced asexually. When one organism was divided, both parts grew the missing parts, resulting in two full-fledged organisms.

Sea cucumber trepang

Trepangs are called part of the species of sea cucumbers that are eaten, there are at least 30 such species. Their catch is mainly carried out off the coast of Japan and the Malay Archipelago, but this is also possible in the Vladivostok region. It is a highly nutritious product that has a high a set of vitamins, proteins, amino acids and nutrients. It is worth noting the very low calorie content of sea cucumbers.

Trepangs include:

• Groups of vitamins A, C, E, PP.
• Fluorine, iron, magnesium, calcium, cobalt, nickel, potassium and many other elements.

Holothuria is considered a healing and restorative natural substance that allows you to quickly get back on your feet after operations or serious illnesses. In oriental medicine, the meat of sea cucumbers has long been used for metabolic problems, to increase blood pressure, with various heart diseases and also for tissue regeneration. It will be useful to take trepang meat for iodine deficiency and endocrine disorders, problems with the thyroid gland.

sea ​​cucumber renders positive influence on human health, so by including it in your menu, you can prevent many diseases. Also, holothuria will be useful for patients with arthritis, it is different beneficial effect on the joints, some elements from the composition of trepang can eliminate pain and stiffness of the joints.

Not only meat is produced from this mollusk, but also a concentrated extract. Chinese doctors claim that such an extract has the same properties as meat. But also, it significantly improves immunity, improves work of cardio-vascular system and helps to keep the body in the necessary tone. Special recommendations for the use of extracts apply to pensioners and people who suffer from chronic diseases.

But trepang also has contraindications:

• Hyperthyroidism.
• Hypertension, the substance increases blood pressure.
• Not recommended for children under 15 years of age.
• Seafood intolerance.

Trepang cooking

There should be no problems with the preparation of these mollusks, it is not difficult.

You should start with the preparation of the dried product, while it is thoroughly washed until there is no trace of the black powder. Then it is left to soak in water, the water needs to be changed from time to time. After that his boiled for 3 hours. If the trepang is fresh, it is washed and boiled for 2-3 hours until the meat is soft. Various dishes are prepared from boiled meat.

There are a lot of dishes that can be prepared from trepang. It can be various soups and salads, you can stew it with vegetables, chicken or horseradish, fry it with onions or tomato sauce. Hot sauces are best for clam dishes.

For example, trepang with honey has gained high popularity among lovers of delicacies, not only for its taste qualities, but also for unique beneficial features for the body.

If the product is too dry, it should be soaked for several days. Readiness for cooking in this case is determined by the purity of the water during washing, if the water is completely clean, you can start cooking.

Dry sea cucumber storage conditions are standard: dark and cool place, without access sun rays. A cooked or fresh product can be placed in the freezer, but if it spends more than 2 months there, it will lose its healing properties.

Japanese chefs cook trepang raw. Having previously cleaned and washed it, cut it into pieces and pour it with vinegar or sauce.

AT recent times, canned sea cucumber has gained popularity, many global companies have already launched the conveyor production of canned trepang. To do this, they even began to artificially breed it on special farms.

At first glance, it is difficult to assume that trepang is edible; for some, it may even seem disgusting in appearance. But on closer examination, it turns out very useful product , which will help bring the body into tone, warns against various diseases. Finally, it can become just a tasty and satisfying dinner, while being a dietary product.

Holothuroidea Blainville, 1834

The modern fauna is represented by 1150 species, divided into 6 orders, which differ from each other in the shape of tentacles and calcareous ring, as well as the presence of some internal organs. About 100 species are found in Russia. The oldest fossils of holothurians are from the Silurian period.

Holothurians are relatives of starfish and hedgehogs.

Biology

Unlike other echinoderms, holothurians lie “on their sides” at the bottom, while the side bearing three rows of ambulacral legs ( trivium) is ventral, and the side with two rows of ambulacral legs ( bivium) dorsal. In deep-sea holothurians, the ambulacral legs can be greatly elongated and used as stilts. Some species move due to peristaltic contractions of the muscles of the body wall, pushing off the ground with protruding calcareous bones.

Most holothurians are black, brown or greenish in color. Body length varies from 3 cm to 1-2 meters, although one species ( Synapta maculata) reaches 5 m.

Lifestyle and nutrition

Holothurians are sedentary or crawling animals found in almost any part of the ocean - from the coastal strip to deep-water depressions; most numerous in tropical coral reef environments. Most species are bottom-dwelling, but there are also pelagic ones. Usually they lie "on their side", raising the anterior, oral end. Holothurians feed on plankton and organic residues extracted from bottom silt and sand, which is passed through the digestive canal. Other species filter food from the bottom waters with tentacles covered with sticky mucus.

With strong irritation, the back of the intestine is thrown out through the anus along with the water lungs, scaring away or distracting the attackers; lost organs are quickly restored. In some species, Cuvier tubules containing toxins are also ejected. Holothurians are preyed upon by starfish, gastropods, fish and crustaceans. In the water lungs of some species, fish settle - fieraspheres ( fierasfer), sometimes pea crabs ( Pinnotheres).

Reproduction and development

Life expectancy - from 5 to 10 years.

Economic importance

Some species of holothurians, especially from the genera Stychopus and Cucumaria, are eaten under the name "trepangs". In China and the countries of Southeast Asia, they are considered a delicacy, served fresh or dried with fish and vegetables. Their fishing is most developed off the coast.