Abstract
The nutritional values of different species of sea cucumber are greatly concerned because of their dietary and curative properties. In this study, two species of sea cucumber, Holothuria edulis, a low-valued noncommercial species, and Holothuria scabra, a high-valued commercial species were selected to compare its proximate composition and fatty acids. H. edulis a prevalent species in coastal water of Sabah is not commercially importance like H. scabra. Sea cucumbers were captured live from the Sabah marine habitat. All samples were immediately eviscerated, freeze-dried and stored at 4°C in until analyzed. Silylating agent N, O-Bis(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) was used to derivitization of fatty acid prior to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Proximate compositions (%), such as moisture, crude protein, crude lipids and ash were carried using standard methods. Major fatty acids in H. edulis and H. scabra were saturated fatty acid (SFA) accounted for 83.95% and 98.60%, respectively and dominated with Palmitic acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), arachidonic acid of 16.05% was found only in H. edulis, but absent H. scabra. Proximate compositions (dry weight) were varied greatly within these two species. Moisture, crude protein, crude lipids and ash of 85.5%, 70.5%, 1.37% and 1.27% respectively were obtained in H. edulis. On the other hand 84.5% of moisture, 51.2% of crude protein, 0.27% of crude lipids and 4.44% of ashes were determined in H. scabra. Significantly higher protein (p < 0.05) content and detection of PUFA in H. edulis compare to H. scabra could be the choice of option for the utilization of this non commercial species as nutraceutical industry and also alternatives to reduce the pressure on heavily exploited species of H. scabra.
Highlights
Malaysia coastal water are preferable habitat for diversity of marine fauna and flora due to its tropical climate
Higher protein (p < 0.05) content and detection of Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in H. edulis compare to H. scabra could be the choice of option for the utilization of this non commercial species as nutraceutical industry and alternatives to reduce the pressure on heavily exploited species of H. scabra
More than 30 species of sea cucumbers including Holothuria scabra, Thelenota ananas, Stichopus chloronotus were harvested in Philippines [3], while in Canada and other countries in higher latitudes of the northern hemisphere mainly focused on four Cucumaria frondosa, C. japonica, Parastichopus californicus and P. parvimensis [4]
Summary
Malaysia coastal water are preferable habitat for diversity of marine fauna and flora due to its tropical climate. Sea cucumbers are predominant and widely harvested in Sabah, Malaysia. In 2013, total of 284 tonnes sea cucumbers were harvested both commercial and natural sectors in Malaysia, out of which 292 tonnes were from Sabah [1]. Among 62 species of sea cucumbers 20 of them were commercially important species and have been recorded in coral reef area of Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah [2]. More than 30 species of sea cucumbers including Holothuria scabra, Thelenota ananas, Stichopus chloronotus were harvested in Philippines [3], while in Canada and other countries in higher latitudes of the northern hemisphere mainly focused on four Cucumaria frondosa, C. japonica, Parastichopus californicus and P. parvimensis [4]. The proximate composition of sea cucumber varies from one species to another species due to their disparity in their seasonal variation and feeding behavior [6]
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