Comparative Characteristics of Percentage Edibility, Condition Index, Biochemical Constituents and Lipids Nutritional Quality Indices of Wild and Farmed Scallops (Flexopecten glaber)

Francesca Biandolino,Giovanni Fanelli,Isabella Parlapiano,Asia Grattagliano,Ermelinda Prato

doi:10.3390/w12061777

Francesca Biandolino, Giovanni Fanelli + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/w12061777

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Abstract

The consumption of seafood has considerably increased over recent decades; however, as wild seafood stocks are limited, the cultured ones represent a possible valuable alternative. The purpose of this study was to compare wild and cultured scallops, Flexopecten glaber, on the basis of their marketability indices and biochemical characteristics. Wild and cultured specimens were harvested from the Ionian Sea (the Central Mediterranean Sea). Protein and lipid were significantly different between scallops, with the values of protein of 8.50 and 11.6 g/100 g and lipid of 1.45 and 1.70 g/100 g for wild and cultured scallops, respectively. Regarding fatty acids (FAs), statistical differences were also detected. The cultured species showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) than its wild counterpart. Eicosapentaenoic (EPA, 20:5 n3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6:3) were the major polyunsaturated fatty acids, although only DHA showed significant differences between wild and culture scallops (p < 0.05). The ratio of n3/n6 PUFA showed high values, with 2.7 and 3.1 for wild and cultured scallops, respectively. The atherogenic and thrombogenic indices and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic fatty acid ratio indicated an import role in human diet. The appreciated nutritional properties of this species could support the interest to promote its cultivation, ensuring high food nutritive value for the purchasers.

Highlights

The commercial exploitation of shellfish represents a very important resource worldwide, with species of high economic value, such as oysters, mussels, scallops and clams, that account for about 1.8 million tons from marine and freshwater capture fisheries [1]
As the edibility percentage and condition index reflect the eco-physiological status of the individuals, they are parameters of economic importance because they detect the commercial quality of bivalve species, especially of those exploited [7,29]
The approach of this study aimed to examine if suspended farmed scallops of Flexopecten glaber in the sea could compete with the wild ones currently offered on the market

Summary

Introduction

The commercial exploitation of shellfish (mainly mollusk bivalves) represents a very important resource worldwide, with species of high economic value, such as oysters, mussels, scallops and clams, that account for about 1.8 million tons from marine and freshwater capture fisheries [1]. The constant request for seafood leads to the overexploitation of wild stocks beyond biological sustainability, reducing these resources to critical levels. The attention on these products is growing at a time when global demography show us that world population is growing and will continue to grow in the future, which means that there is a need to produce more protein foods [2]. The lack of diversification in shellfish culture in European aquaculture is a serious weakness that could prevent the expansion of this sector in Europe [3] To overcome such problems, there is great interest in developing a sustainable bivalve culture, adding value to production with high-value species that could contribute to a new source of protein for consumers [4]. The diversification of aquaculture through the introduction of new bivalve species can contribute to meet the demand in seafood production, reducing pressure on wild stocks [5]

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