Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) Analysis of the full parasite, Relliatina tetragona (Chicken Cestode)

Abstract Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis is robust technique which can be used to identify functional groups of given material. In the present study an attempt was made to profile the cestode powder of Relliantina tetragona for the first time. The study was quite successful and FTIR analysis of the cestode powder yielded interesting results. The spectrum ranged from 1000-3500cm-1.A total of 19 major peaks were identified, of which five were the sharp peaks. The highest sharp peak was found at 1539cm-1, followed by 1641cm-1, 1026cm-1, 2920cm-1 and 2851cm-1.The functional groups were identified using https://chem.libretexts.org/ and Thermo fisher databases. The identification and interpretation of these peaks, yielded interesting results. The highest peak at 1539, refers to alpha (α) elastin, which seems to be abundant in the sample and probably justifies with the fact that the parasite may be often dependent upon this protein for apolysis. Peak at 1641cm-1 suggest a strong c = c stretching and refers to the presence of amide group, similarly 1026cm-1 refers to cellulose, followed by 2920cm-1 for suberin and 2851cm-1 for lignin, indicating that the cestode may have ingested these plant components from the host animal (chicken) and accumulated in its body. Apart from these peaks some minor peaks were observed at 721cm-1 and also at 1081cm-1. The peak at 721cm-1 suggests accumulation of iron oxide hematite and the peak at 1081cm-1suggesting the presence of cadmium oxide. In summary it may be said that, functional group profiling of Relliatina tetragona using FTIR was successful in giving us an in-depth understanding about the composition of dead parasite and also about the dietary constituents of the host animal in particular, which might help us to develop newer strategies and drugs to control the helminthic infections.