Abstract
Consumption of energy drinks and dietary supplements have been on the rise in the past 20 years. Taurine is a common amino acid found in these different products which is thought to increase muscle performance, yet little is known about whether taurine has such effects. The aim of this study was to investigate whether taurine supplementation significantly increased Procambarus clarkii pincer strength. For this study taurine was used in conjunction with MK-801, an antagonist of the crayfish neuromuscular junction. A 3-D printed apparatus combined with a force gauge was used to measure muscle contraction strength of pincers before and after administration of taurine and MK-801. P. clarkii were randomly placed in a control group, taurine group, MK-801 group, or taurine and MK-801 group. P. clarkii were administered chemicals by being placed in Pyrex crystallizing dishes with 200 ml of their respective solutions for 60 minutes. Pincer force was measured before and after administration of the chemicals. Results showed that the taurine group had a significant impact on pincer force and did so in a way that increased pincer force. The MK-801 group and the taurine plus the MK-801 group produced no significant results. The control group also produced no significant results, but this was expected. We can conclude that based on our data, taurine has a significant impact on pincer force, and does so in a positive way that increases pincer strength.