Comparison of the Nutritional Quality of Three Edible Tissues from Precocious and Normal Adult Female Chinese Mitten Crabs (Eriocheir sinensis)

Abstract

ABSTRACT We investigated and evaluated the nutritional composition of the hepatopancreas, gonads, and muscle from two types (precocious/normal) of adult female Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis). Our results showed that normal crabs had the highest gonadosomatic index, meat yield, and hepatosomatic index. There was no considerable difference in the proximate composition of the edible parts of normal vs precocious crabs, particularly in the muscles and gonads. A balanced amino acid composition and high amino acid score was reported in the muscle and gonads of the precocious crabs. The normal crabs had less amino acid contents than the precocious crabs in gonads and muscle. Regarding the mineral element profile, in the muscle of the precocious crabs, the contents of Mg, Ca, and Mn were significantly higher than those in the normal crabs. Regarding the fatty acid profile, the hepatopancreas and gonads of the precocious crabs had more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) but less monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) than in the normal crabs. The muscle of precocious crabs contained significantly higher unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) but lower saturated fatty acids (SFA). Precocious and adult female Chinese mitten crabs were found to have a higher nutritional value and can contribute to a healthy diet.