The Effect of Different Concentrations of L-theanine on the Heart Rate of Daphnia magna Exposed to Monosodium Glutamate
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
10th Grade
Presentation Topic
Zoology
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
The numerous benefits of L-theanine have been well researched, including its ability to reduce blood pressure, increase mental focus, and increase relaxation. However, studies on its ability to reduce heart rate are scarce. The purpose of this study was to determine if L-theanine could act as a relaxant against monosodium glutamate, an environmental stressor that increases heart rate, and to determine which concentration of L-theanine would be most effective in doing so. It was hypothesized that if Daphnia magna were placed in different aqueous solutions of L-theanine after exposure to monosodium glutamate, the Daphnia would display the lowest heart rate for the solution of 2 mg/mL. This is because an insufficient or excess L-theanine dose would not activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which lowers heart rate. The D. magna were exposed to an aqueous monosodium glutamate concentration, then transferred immediately into an aqueous L-theanine solution, and heart rates while it was in each solution were recorded using a compound light lab microscope. The results of a Tukey test suggest that there were significant differences in heart rate when the 1 mg/mL group was compared to the control group (CV=23.94), HSD [0.05]=3.69. Thus, it was concluded that L-theanine could lower heart rate most effectively at a 1 mg/mL concentration in Daphnia magna.
Recommended Citation
Siddique, Zahi, "The Effect of Different Concentrations of L-theanine on the Heart Rate of Daphnia magna Exposed to Monosodium Glutamate" (2023). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 142.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2023/all/142
Location
ECL 205A
Start Date
3-25-2023 11:45 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
The Effect of Different Concentrations of L-theanine on the Heart Rate of Daphnia magna Exposed to Monosodium Glutamate
ECL 205A
The numerous benefits of L-theanine have been well researched, including its ability to reduce blood pressure, increase mental focus, and increase relaxation. However, studies on its ability to reduce heart rate are scarce. The purpose of this study was to determine if L-theanine could act as a relaxant against monosodium glutamate, an environmental stressor that increases heart rate, and to determine which concentration of L-theanine would be most effective in doing so. It was hypothesized that if Daphnia magna were placed in different aqueous solutions of L-theanine after exposure to monosodium glutamate, the Daphnia would display the lowest heart rate for the solution of 2 mg/mL. This is because an insufficient or excess L-theanine dose would not activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which lowers heart rate. The D. magna were exposed to an aqueous monosodium glutamate concentration, then transferred immediately into an aqueous L-theanine solution, and heart rates while it was in each solution were recorded using a compound light lab microscope. The results of a Tukey test suggest that there were significant differences in heart rate when the 1 mg/mL group was compared to the control group (CV=23.94), HSD [0.05]=3.69. Thus, it was concluded that L-theanine could lower heart rate most effectively at a 1 mg/mL concentration in Daphnia magna.
