Comparative study on growth performance and edible portion nutritional composition of male Eriocheir sinensis at different growth stages in rice-crab culture systems

Abstract

Currently, there is a lack of data related to the growth and development regulations of male Eriocheir sinensis (E.sinensis) in rice field in northern China, which prevents timely adjustment of the nutritional structure of the feed. This has led to the poor quality of male E.sinensis, which has seriously constrained the cultivation of rice crab. Therefore, the purpose of this experiment was to study the growth, development and nutritional composition of male E.sinensis in rice field. Tissue samples from male E.sinensis were randomly collected on the 0, 15, 31, 46 and 62 days of culture for detection. The results showed that the growth performance of male E.sinensis was faster from 31 to 46 days. The levels of crude protein, crude lipid and EAA in hepatopancreas decreased from 46 to 62 days, whereas gonadal changes were not significant. The PUFA levels of muscle, hepatopancreas and gonad decreased in varying degrees from 46 to 62 days. To sum up, nutrients in hepatopancreas and gonads of male E.sinensis accumulated rapidly from July 15 to August 30. From August 30 to September 15, the nutritional quality of hepatopancreas and gonad of male E.sinensis decreased.