Nutritional Analysis and Quality Evaluation in Muscle of Crucifix Crab Charybdis feriatus From Three Wild Populations

Jian-Xue Lu,Xiong Zou,Yan-Qing Huang,Yang-Yang Gong,Hong-Yu Ma,Lian-Jun Xia

doi:10.5539/jfr.v3n2p27

Abstract

Three wild populations of crucifix crab Charybdis feriatus were sampled and muscle was analyzed for proximate composition, amino acid and fatty acid composition, aimed to quantify and compare the nutritional quality from three different locations in China. Results showed that crude protein content in muscle of female crucifix crab C. feriatus from Zhoushan (ZS) and Xiapu (XP) (84.84%-88.35%) were significantly higher than that of crucifix crab C. feriatus from Qionghai (QH) (74.33%), while there was no significant difference in terms of crude fat content (3.82%-4.07%). The highest content of ash was found in muscle of crucifix crab C. feriatus from QH (5.36%). The muscle of crucifix crab C. feriatus from ZS and XP had significantly higher contents of total amino acids, essential amino acids, non-essential amino acids and delicious amino acids than those of QH group (P &lt; 0.05). The total saturated and unsaturated fatty acid content in the muscle of crucifix crab C. feriatus from three wild populations showed significant difference (P &lt; 0.05). The ZS group had highest content of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (33.64%) and total content of EPA and DHA (22.85%) as well, followed by XP and QH group (P &lt; 0.05). Overall, the differences in chemical composition in muscle of C. feriatus from different locations could be attributed to environmental variables and maturation stage.

Highlights

Crustaceans are beneficial and highly appreciated due to their favorable taste and nutritional quality
Three wild populations of crucifix crab Charybdis feriatus were sampled and muscle was analyzed for proximate composition, amino acid and fatty acid composition, aimed to quantify and compare the nutritional quality from three different locations in China
Results showed that crude protein content in muscle of female crucifix crab C. feriatus from Zhoushan (ZS) and Xiapu (XP) (84.84%-88.35%) were significantly higher than that of crucifix crab C. feriatus from Qionghai (QH) (74.33%), while there was no significant difference in terms of crude fat content (3.82%-4.07%)

Summary

Introduction

Crustaceans are beneficial and highly appreciated due to their favorable taste and nutritional quality. The taste and nutritional quality of crab meat is to a large extent related to the presence of amino acids and fatty acids (Chen et al, 2007). The crucifix crab, Charybdis feriatus, is one of the most consumed crustaceans in countries of East and Southeast Asia (Josileen, 2011) The meat of this crab is tasty and desirable, and is available throughout the whole year. The juvenile crucifix crab selects its habitat in the sandy shore, and the adult inhabits muddy offshore areas (Baylon & Suzuki, 2007) This crab is abundantly distributed in the eastern and southeastern coasts of mainland China and is mostly captured and consumed in coastal areas of Zhejiang, Fujian and Hainan provinces. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the chemical composition of crucifix crab, and the results would give additional nutritional information to consumers

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion