Nutritional and Biofunctional Insights into Crab Proteins: Prospects for Food Security and Blue Economy

Abstract

Crab proteins are a nutritionally valuable and increasingly significant resource for global food security, aquaculture development, and functional bioactive applications. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the nutritional composition, dietary protein requirements, growth performance, health implications, and sustainability aspects of crab protein, with particular emphasis on mangrove crabs (Scylla spp.). Crab muscle proteins possess high biological value, featuring balanced essential amino acid profiles that support growth, molting, reproduction, and immune competence. Optimal dietary protein levels for farmed crabs typically range from 35% to 50%; however, requirements vary across species, developmental stages, and environmental conditions. In addition to growth, the quality of dietary protein influences feed efficiency, antioxidant capacity, stress tolerance, and disease resistance, underscoring its multifunctional role in crab physiology. This review critically evaluates alternative protein sources, including plant-based, microbial, and insect-derived proteins, highlighting their potential to replace fishmeal when amino acid balance and digestibility are ensured. Environmental and sustainability challenges—particularly those related to climate change, habitat degradation, and reliance on marine-derived feed ingredients—are discussed alongside emerging solutions such as circular economy approaches and by-product valorization. Advances in proteomics, biotechnology, and multi-omics integration present new opportunities for characterizing crab proteins and developing functional peptides with applications in food, aquaculture, and biomedicine. Overall, this review emphasizes that crab protein is not merely a growth substrate but a strategic lever for sustainable aquaculture, environmental resilience, and value-added innovation.

Keywords

• Crab proteins
• Scylla spp.
• dietary protein
• bioactive peptides
• aquaculture sustainability
• blue economy

References

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