An Assessment of the Cultivation Potential and Suitability for Human Consumption of Mediterranean Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) from the Yalova Coast of the Marmara Sea

Abstract

This study aimed to determine into potential suitability of juvenile Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) for cultivation and human consumption collected from various stations (Kapaklı, Çınarcık, Koru, and Deveboynu) along the Yalova coast of the South Marmara Sea during the spring season. Specifically, meat yield, condition index, moisture content, density of fouling organisms on the shells, and heavy metal concentrations (copper, zinc, mercury, cadmium, lead, and arsenic) were analysed. The average meat yields for Çınarcık, Deveboynu, Kapaklı, and Koru were found to be 24.51±2.96, 21.72±3.92, 23.75±2.31, and 21.54±4.01, respectively. Similarly, the average condition index were found to be 7.29±1.16, 6.02±0.97, 7.30±0.77, and 5.94±1.39 for Çınarcık, Deveboynu, Kapaklı, and Koru, respectively. The average shell component index for Çınarcık, Deveboynu, Kapaklı, and Koru were detected that 72.06±2.75, 74.39±4.13, 69.99±2.55, and 74.68±4.54, respectively. Additionally, the average moisture contents were found to be 82.63±1.95, 83.34±3.23, 84.02±1.82, and 83.40±4.17 for Çınarcık, Deveboynu, Kapaklı, and Koru, respectively. The statistical analysis revealed significant differences (p<0.05) in these parameters among the stations. Moreover, the quantities of competitive and fouling organisms, such as polychaetes and barnacles, were found to be highest in the Deveboynu and Koru stations. It has been determined that copper, zinc, mercury, and lead levels of the mussels are suitable for human consumption in all stations. However, arsenic values exceeded legal limits in Çınarcık, Koru, and Deveboynu, and cadmium values exceeded legal limits in all stations.