Sea cucumber

Holothurians, sea capsules, sea cucumbers ( Holothuroidea), a class of invertebrate animals such as echinoderms. Species eaten as food are common name "trepang".

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

Biology

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Synonyms:

See what “Sea Cucumber” is in other dictionaries:

    Holothuria Dictionary of Russian synonyms. sea ​​cucumber noun, number of synonyms: 1 sea cucumber (4) ASIS Dictionary of Synonyms. V.N. Trishin... Synonym dictionary

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    Holothurians Sea cucumber (holothuria) ... Wikipedia

    Sea cucumber (Holothurian) Scientific classification Kingdom: Animals Subsection: Deuterostomes Type ... Wikipedia

    Sea capsules or sea cucumbers are animals whose body contracts strongly at the slightest touch, after which it, in many forms, becomes similar to an old egg capsule or fresh cucumber. About 900 species are known.... ... Biological encyclopedia

    Trepang, sea cucumber Dictionary of Russian synonyms. holothurian noun, number of synonyms: 4 echinoderms (12) ... Synonym dictionary

    English Monster Warriors Genre fantasy, adventure Starring Jared Keeso, Lara Emersey, Mandy Butcher, Yani Gellman Country ... Wikipedia

    Holothurians- Holothuria. Holothurians (sea cucumbers), a class of animals of the echinoderm type. The body is usually worm-shaped, from a few mm to 2 m. About 1100 species, found throughout the seas and oceans. Bottom, crawling forms. Many people, when irritated, are able to throw out... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

Although it does not look very attractive, it is very popular among the population of coastal countries. This delicacy has various properties. It should be said that sea cucumber does not lose its qualities either dried or frozen.

Trepang has the ability to filter water. Therefore, the water area in which it lives is clean.

Scientists, after conducting research, discovered that the edible sea cucumber contains about 40 elements from the periodic table. Moreover, each element is present in human cells, as well as in enzymes and tissues, taking part in metabolic processes and the production of hormones. The content of copper and iron compounds in sea cucumbers is several thousand times higher than in fish, and it contains hundreds of times more iodine than in other invertebrates.

The sea cucumber inhabits a depth of about thirty meters. This is the only cell whose cells are absolutely sterile. There are no viruses or germs in them. This unique organism has the ability to regenerate from 1/3 of the body. Full regeneration occurs in sea cucumbers within two months. What's amazing is that each part of it is restored independently. This is a unique case in nature.

The sea cucumber itself and the extract obtained from it are widely used in medicine. The extract has a pronounced stimulating effect. In this regard, it is recommended to take it in the morning. Tincture at correct use helps normalize cardiac activity, eliminates tachycardia and bradycardia. Sea cucumber is used in herbal medicine as a means of normalizing metabolism, raising tone, and increasing immunity.

Thanks to your unique properties, in cosmetology, sea cucumber elixir is used as a rejuvenating agent that eliminates wrinkles. Sea cucumber helps increase potency and eliminate hypertension.

It has been established that regular consumption of sea cucumber contributes to more rapid recovery after illness. Holothuria adds energy and strength.

The consumption of sea cucumber is especially indicated for people by activating bioenergy and immune system human, it helps to increase the duration and improve the quality of life.

The extract also has antioxidant properties. They allow you to fight cancer pathologies. It has been established that sea cucumber extract inhibits the development of malignant formations of various localizations. Experts also say that the drug combines well with other medications. All vitamins and microelements contained in sea cucumbers are necessary for humans.

Biology

Toxins produced by sea cucumbers are of pharmacological interest. Fishermen on the islands Pacific Ocean They use poisonous Cuvier tubes of some species when fishing.

see also

Literature

  • Dolmatov I.Yu., Mashanov V.S. Regeneration in holothurians. - Vladivostok: Dalnauka, 2007. - 208 p.

Links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

See what "Holothurians" are in other dictionaries:

    Neg. worm-like echinoderm marine animals, found in the Southern Ocean. This includes sea cucumber. Dictionary foreign words, included in the Russian language. Pavlenkov F., 1907. HOLOTHURIA or SEA EGGERS (Greek holothuriae). Order of echinoderms... ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

    sea ​​cucumbers- ii, pl. holothurie f. gr. holothurion 1. A marine animal with a worm-like body. BAS 2. And over there to the side, stacked in rows in long woodpiles are some small, thick sulfur sticks, like sausages. These are all sea cucumbers, sea animals, like... ... Historical Dictionary of Gallicisms of the Russian Language

    Sea cucumbers (Holothuroidea), class of echinoderms. Fossil skeletal plates of G. are known from the Devonian. Body b. h. barrel-shaped or worm-shaped (length from several mm to 2 m), many with external. appendages (tentacles, legs, papillae, sail, etc.), ... ... Biological encyclopedic dictionary

    - (Holotburioidea), a class of the echinoderm type, differ from other representatives of the same type by a worm-shaped body, leathery skin and outer integument containing calcareous bodies, the absence of an external madrepous plate, a crown for the most part... ... Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron

    - (sea cucumbers), a class of animals such as echinoderms. The body is usually worm-shaped, from a few mm to 2 m. About 1100 species, found throughout the seas and oceans. Bottom, crawling forms. Many, when irritated, are able to throw out their insides or... ... Modern encyclopedia

    - (sea cucumbers, sea capsules), a class of marine invertebrate animals such as echinoderms. The body is usually worm-shaped, from a few mm to 2 m. Approx. 1100 species, almost everywhere in the seas and oceans. Bottom crawling forms. Some are capable of... Big encyclopedic Dictionary

    - (Holothuroidea) a class of echinoderms with a highly reduced skeleton, consisting of numerous microscopic calcareous needles, decomposed. forms. Marine animals belonging to nekton. Rare in fossil form, found in the form of imprints or... ... Geological encyclopedia

    Sea cucumbers, sea capsules (Holothuroidea) HOLOTHURIA Cucumeria planci one of the types of edible sea cucumbers. marine class invertebrate type echinoderms (Echinodermata). They live on the bottom, mainly in shallow water areas, where they usually lie like... ... Collier's Encyclopedia

    - (Holothurioidea) class of the echinodermata type (Echinodermata, see), differ from other representatives of the same type by a worm-shaped body, leathery outer integuments containing calcareous bodies, the absence of an external madrepore plate, ... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Ephron

    Yi; pl. (unit holothuria, i; g.). [Greek holothurion] Class of marine invertebrate animals such as echinoderms; sea ​​cucumbers. * * * holothurians (sea cucumbers, sea capsules), a class of marine invertebrate animals such as echinoderms. The body is usually... encyclopedic Dictionary

Sea cucumber (sea cucumber) or sea cucumber (lat. Holoturoidea) is an invertebrate animal belonging to the echinoderm type. Most famous representatives: Japanese and cucumaria. The creature is unique in its structure, appearance, protective capabilities, and also has a number of useful substances. They are actively used in medicinal purposes, and sea cucumber meat makes delicious dietary dishes. IN ancient China the animal was called "sea ginseng".

How many and what types of sea cucumbers are there?

Number of species: 1100.

There are 6 squads:

Squad Peculiarities
Legless Ambulacral legs are absent. They feel great in freshwater environments. Habitat: mangrove swamps of the Egyptian national reserve Ras Mohammed (translated as “Cape Mohammed”).
Sidefoot Body symmetry is bilateral. The ambulacral legs are located on the side of the body. They live at great depths.
Barrel-shaped The body shape is spindle-like. Adapted to life in the soil.
Tree-tentacled It has largest number and prevalence. Lifestyle – sedentary.
Thyroid-tentacles Small shield-like tentacles that do not retract inward.
Dactylochirotids The tentacles are finger-shaped.

Scientists have identified sea cucumbers in the Caribbean Sea that are significantly different from their counterparts. Enypniastes eximia or pink sea cucumber resembles a jellyfish in appearance. Biologists jokingly call it the “headless chicken.” Bioluminescence, movement in the water column (able to swim up to 1 km) – special abilities this representative.

What they look like

Those who see sea egg capsules for the first time describe them as large earthworms or snails without a shell.

The animal has its own distinctive features from other invertebrate representatives:

  1. The body of the holothurian is oblong, trapezoidal, slightly flattened laterally. It has thick, elastic walls. Represented by the musculocutaneous sac. If you take a closer look at the animal, you can see a mouth with tentacles and an anus. The body of the holothurian consists of two parts: dorsal and abdominal.
  2. The surface is rough when touched and externally wrinkled.
  3. Color: black, red, green.
  4. The length for each representative is different: from 3 cm to 2 m. There are exceptions to the rules, for example, Synapta maculate reaches 5 m.
  5. Weight adult can reach up to 1.5 kg.

It should be noted that the sea cucumber has the ability to regenerate. If there is a violation of the integrity of the skin bag, over time, the lost or damaged area is restored.

The structure of holothuria

1 Ampoules
2 Gonad
3 Longitudinal muscle
4 Cloaca
5 Airways
6 Longitudinal muscle
7 Introverted retractor muscle
8 Stomach
9 Esophagus
10 Pharynx
11 Tentacles
12 Round channel
13 Bubble
14 Introverted retractor muscle
15 Intestines

The skeleton is represented by calcareous bones.

The muscular frame consists of 5 longitudinal muscles that are attached around the esophagus. One end of the body is represented by the mouth, from which there is a spiral intestine, the second - by the anus.

Breathing is carried out using the ambulacral system and water lungs, which open into the cloaca in front of the anus.

The blood circulation system is highly branched. Largest accumulation blood vessels noted near the intestines. Oxygen saturation of the blood occurs through the vessels that surround the left lung. The vessels from the right lung go to the entire body.

Nervous system: peripharyngeal nerve ring and 5 radially located nerves. The sense organs are tentacles, and the balance organs are statocysts.

Ambeocytes are present to secrete the final products of metabolism.

The gonad is a reproductive organ resembling finger-shaped tubes.

Where does the sea cucumber live?

Main locations: China, Japan, Malay Archipelago, Pacific Ocean waters, near the Philippine Islands.

The Far East is a place where active fishing for cucumaria and Japanese sea cucumber takes place.

Sea egg pods prefer warm, shallow places, hiding in algae or in the surface layers of silt. IN fresh water the animal does not live (with the exception of representatives of the legless order).

Features of behavior and movement

Holothurians live in herds, but move independently, alone. Depending on the presence and length of the ambulacral legs, the speed and ability to move is different for each person. Some individuals do not have special outgrowths, so they move using peristaltic movements, pushing off the surface with calcareous bones.

Lifestyle and nutrition

In most cases, the animal is inactive, therefore it is easy prey for other inhabitants of the seabed (crustaceans, fish, starfish). To protect itself when attacked, the sea cucumber throws out back their internal organs. This creates a distraction and allows the front of the sea cucumber to hide. Complete regeneration occurs in 6-8 weeks.

Dangerous or not

The sea capsule lives in symbiosis with fish. They are located inside the animal, namely, in the anus and water lungs. Blowout toxic substances occurs solely for protection.

So is it poisonous or not? Some species are capable of secreting toxic cuover tubes when necessary. The poison is only dangerous for small marine animals. Sea egg pods are completely safe for humans.

What does it eat?

Plankton and organic particles are the basis of holothurian nutrition. By passing water through the tentacles, microorganisms and plankton are retained in the animal’s mouth. To do this, there are 10-30 tentacles that are placed around the mouth.

Researchers claim that sea cucumbers have a bipolar apparatus for feeding. In other words, food enters in two ways: through the mouth and the anus.

The search for food is carried out in the evening or at night. In the autumn-winter period, sea cucumbers practically do not eat. Activation of the search for food occurs at the beginning of spring.

After spawning, males hibernate to recuperate and eat almost nothing. Then, having woken up, they begin to active search food.

Reproduction

Spawning time: June – September.

During fertilization, the male and female individuals stretch upward, assuming a vertical body position, and begin to sway. The process begins when the exchange of reproductive products takes place at the connection of the genital openings.

Among the representatives there are unisexual (synthesize male and female sex hormones) and dioecious. The maturation of male reproductive cells and eggs occurs in the gonads, then the reproductive products are released out through the genital duct.

In most holothurians, the process of conception and development of the embryo is external. With the help of tentacles, the eggs are attached to the dorsal part of the body. Sometimes the formation of an embryo occurs inside an adult. The eggs become larvae - dipleuroles. After a few days they turn into auricularia, and then into dolioralia, vitellaria and penctatula.

The lifespan of holothurians is about 10 years.

Is it possible to breed sea egg pods in captivity?

Since sea cucumber is quite valuable and useful product, its populations are almost destroyed in wildlife. That is why sea cucumbers are bought exclusively from farms where they are grown individually. Breeding sea ​​cucumbers are engaged in Russia, on Far East.

Is it possible to keep sea cucumber at home?

Chemical composition

Sea cucumber contains dietary protein. Rich in amino acids, macro and microelements: potassium, magnesium, iodine, fluorine, cobalt, copper, bromine, chlorine, nickel, calcium, iron. Also present alimentary fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins B, C, nicotinic acid (PP). Acidity is 15.95.

Useful properties in medicine

The benefits of eating sea cucumber meat have a positive effect on health:

  • Speeds up the recovery period after surgical intervention or illness.
  • Far Eastern medicine has been using raw sea cucumber meat for many years to normalize metabolism and lower blood pressure.
  • It has a positive effect on arthritis (inflammation of the joints).
  • Sea cucumber extract has a good effect on the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
  • Cosmetology uses preparations based on sea cucumber for rejuvenation procedures.
  • Improves the functioning of the endocrine system.
  • Since ancient times, sea cucumber has been considered a strong aphrodisiac. It was used to treat prostatitis in men, as well as restore male sexual function.
  • Calorie content of 100 g of product: 35 kcal. Therefore, edible sea cucumbers are recommended for use by people who control their weight; they are excellent for weight loss.
  • The beneficial properties of sea cucumber in medicine are aimed at restoring the level of immune defense.
  • Depression goes away, fatigue disappears.

Contraindications

It should be remembered that pregnant women, during breastfeeding, children under 15 years of age, as well as with hyperfunction (hyperthyroidism, thyrotoxicosis) thyroid gland use is strictly prohibited.

What types of medications are there?

There are capsules, extract with honey, as well as extracts.

The form of the drug is selected individually.

Sea cucumber recipes

Before preparing it, you should know that dietary sea cucumber meat is quite specific - it is tasteless. Therefore, you should not expect taste pleasure from such food. But such dishes will bring enormous health benefits. The most famous recipes for preparing edible sea cucumbers:

  1. Residents Far Eastern countries eat raw sea cucumber. To do this, the carcass is thoroughly cleaned of entrails and washed. Then finely chop it and infuse it in soy sauce.
  2. Skoblyanka is a hot dish, served on its own or as a side dish.

You will need:

  • Peeled, cut into pieces sea cucumber.
  • Onion
  • Salt, pepper, spices to taste
  • Tomato
  • Sunflower or butter.

Preparation:

Boil the carcass until soft. Fry the onion until golden, add boiled meat, salt, pepper, and tomato. After frying, let simmer for about 5 minutes. Add garlic if desired.

  1. With vegetables - enough tasty dish, can be used as a side dish.

You will need:

  • Boiled sea cucumber meat 2-3 pcs.
  • Carrots 2 pcs.
  • Cabbage 200-300g
  • Onions 2 pcs.
  • Smoked chicken breast 100-150g
  • Green onions 3-4 feathers
  • Parsley
  • Ginger root 100g
  • Butter 6 tbsp.
  • Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Sesame 1-3 tbsp.

Preparation:

Boil the chopped meat and ginger. Mix chopped herbs with meat. Then send it to stew with the cabbage. After 5 minutes (or when the cabbage is ready), add the fried onions and carrots. Simmer over low heat until fully cooked for 10-15 minutes. Serve with sesame seeds.

  1. Sea cucumber with honey – medicine. All useful properties are preserved. To prepare honey extract from sea cucumber yourself, cut the meat into half rings and dry. Add honey, maintaining a 1:1 ratio. Leave in a cool place for 2 months, stirring occasionally. Take 1 tbsp. 15-20 minutes before meals.
18

Diets and healthy eating 17.01.2018

Dear readers, in Chinese, Japanese and Korean cuisines, sea cucumber is considered a delicacy, the taste of which is so appreciated by true gourmets. It is served as in fresh, and as the main ingredient in soups and sauces. Today, my blog reader Yulia Khoroshilova will talk about these sea animals and why they are so popular in Asia. I give her the floor.

Hello, dear readers of Irina’s blog. Many gourmets are interested in a dish made from sea cucumbers. This echinoderm contains no microbes or viruses, so it is considered effective in treating pathologies of the stomach, liver and kidneys. According to research, sea cucumber meat contains substances that have anti-cancer properties.

What is a sea cucumber?

Holothurians, or sea cucumbers, are a class of invertebrate animals such as echinoderms. The Far Eastern sea cucumber and cucumber are varieties of sea cucumbers; they live mainly in the Sea of ​​Japan, the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, and Sakhalin. All types of sea cucumbers that are eaten are also called sea cucumbers.

Sea cucumber, depending on the type, can be red, black, or green. This interesting name Pliny gave them, and it is connected with the fact that when touched, the body of sea cucumbers shrinks and takes the shape of a cucumber. Let's see what a sea cucumber looks like in the photo.

Sea cucumber. Photo

ABOUT healing power The sea cucumber is legendary. In Japan, it is called sea ginseng and is credited with unprecedented healing properties.

Composition and calorie content

The calorie content of sea cucumber is quite low - 100 g contains 35 kcal. The composition of the meat of these echinoderms is considered unique, which determines the beneficial properties that it possesses. In addition, it is dietary due to its low fat content - 100 g of product contains less than 1 g of fat.

Due to its high protein content, sea cucumber helps maintain muscle tone, has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, and fights infectious and inflammatory processes in the body. Present in sea cucumber tissues a large number of vitamins B and C, holothurins, chlorine, phosphorus and calcium.

It is reliably known that this product does not contain microbes or viruses, and its cells are sterile.

Niacin

By regularly including sea cucumber in your diet, you provide your body with required quantity niacin. Vitamin B3 (PP) helps against heart disease, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and cognitive disorders.

This substance is also invaluable for cellular communication and gives strength to the body. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, a diet enriched with this product significantly reduces the risk of developing cancer.

Riboflavin

Sea shellfish is rich in vitamin B2, which is an essential water-soluble substance and a participant in many biochemical processes. Riboflavin acts as a transport link that delivers beneficial substances to tissues and organ systems. This is a unique vitamin of beauty and health, so it is recommended to include sea cucumber in your diet. Eastern healers are convinced that it contains the secret of longevity.

Iron

Everyone knows that seafood is rich in iron, which saturates the body with oxygen and normalizes blood circulation. Therefore, the benefit of sea cucumber sea cucumber is that it eliminates the deficiency of a useful microelement and thereby ensures strong immunity.

Beneficial features

On this moment Research on the benefits and contraindications of sea cucumber is quite limited. However, as a result of clinical trials, certain positive effects that it can have on the body have been identified.

Sea cucumber contains neither microbes nor viruses, so this product is considered useful in the treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular pathologies, and brain diseases. The product is effective means therapy intestinal infection, acting as an antiviral agent.

In alternative medicine, sea cucumber is used to treat the following problems:

  • bowel disorder in the form of constipation;
  • erectile dysfunction in men;
  • colds;
  • periodontitis;
  • hypertension;
  • elevated cholesterol levels;
  • osteoarthritis.

Representatives traditional medicine are convinced that the main thing useful property sea ​​cucumber is its ability to slow down the aging process and the development of tumor-like neoplasms of a malignant nature.

Cholesterol control

Along with food, organic lipids enter the body, which are necessary to maintain human health. However, excess cholesterol is in first place among the causes of the development of atherosclerosis, the deposition of plaques in blood vessels.

According to the latest scientific research, sea cucumber helps control the levels of these compounds in the blood. In 2002, an article was published in the journal Agricultural and Food Chemistry, which stated that sea cucumber reduces bad cholesterol and at the same time enhances the good.

Gum health

Based on the results of a study conducted in 2003, scientists found that sea cucumber can be used to produce an extract that, when added to toothpaste Helps eliminate periodontitis - bleeding gums. The experiment involved 28 people with the initial stage of gingivitis, who brushed their teeth daily with a paste containing an extract of sea cucumber.

After three months, the results showed that markers of oral health had noticeably improved: bleeding decreased, gum inflammation disappeared, bad smell. However, more research is required to confirm this theory.

Oncological diseases

The established sterility of sea cucumber cells gave rise to the hypothesis that this product can be effectively used for the prevention and treatment of malignant cancer.

In 2010, it was published in Pancreas magazine Research Article, indicating that substances with anti-cancer properties have been found in sea cucumber. The study found that the key compound in sea cucumber, triterpenoid, exhibits pronounced cytotoxicity against carcinoma of the lung, pancreas, breast, colon, leukemia, and prostate.

Many cancer patients who simultaneously use sea cucumber tincture with honey along with chemotherapy have noted a reduction in malignant tumors by 68%.

From this video you will learn about other properties of sea cucumber.

Cautions

Despite the fact that sea cucumber is a source of vitamins and beneficial macro- and microelements for the human body, it is necessary to remember possible contraindications to its use. If you are allergic to seafood, you should avoid using sea cucumbers. This is especially true for pregnant women, whose bodies are most sensitive during this period.

Doctors warn that eating sea cucumber while taking anticoagulants increases the risk of developing side effects. Patients with an overactive thyroid gland should avoid this iodine-rich product.

Don’t forget how the sea cucumber feeds: waste from other fish, plankton. The mollusk lives on seabed and filters the sand along with various aquatic organisms, which can be poisonous, and all these substances settle in its flesh. It must be remembered that pharmacy nutritional supplements have not been tested for safety, which means it cannot be said that their use will not cause harm.

In Asian cuisine, sea cucumber is also eaten raw, served with grated radish and soy sauce. In Russia, shellfish are boiled, canned or dried for culinary purposes. In the Far East, skoblyanka, which is prepared from potatoes, onions, and sea cucumbers, is popular. On supermarket shelves you can also find canned food “Skoblyanka made from cucumaria and fish”.

To improve health, raw sea cucumber is crushed and dried. The resulting mixture is mixed with honey in proportions of 1:5 and left for 7 days. A vodka tincture is made from ground sea cucumber, healing tea and even wine.

Since cucumaria scraper is the most popular dish, let's find out how to prepare it.

You will need the following ingredients: sea cucumber, onion, spices, carrots, bell pepper, tomato paste. In Vladivostok, the collected sea cucumber is boiled immediately on the shore in sea ​​water and are already ready at home. But you can also buy it fresh.