Biochemical Composition of Different Sex and Body Parts of Blue Crabs (Callinectes sapidus) Caught From the Middle Black Sea Coast

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the nutritional composition of blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) caught on the Fatsa (Ordu) coasts of the Middle Black Sea of Türkiye. The nutritional value of various edible body parts (carapace, right and left claw, and legs) of the blue crabs were evaluated, and the proximal biochemical compositions of crabs belonging to different sexes were compared. The average protein content in male and female blue crabs was 18.79% and 19.11%, respectively. The highest amount of protein in female crabs was determined in the carapace, while the highest amount in males was determined in the legs. The quantity of fat in male crabs ranged from 0.46 to 0.69%, whereas the amount in female crabs ranged from 0.63 to 0.92%. The mean fat in female crabs was higher than in male crabs (p<0.05). The moisture and ash content in all of the body parts of male and female crabs varied between 78.62-76.73% and 2.29-2.39%, respectively; however, the difference between these values was statistically insignificant. The lowest and highest energy values for 100 g of crab meat were determined to be 78.27 kcal and 88.00 kcal, respectively. This study suggests that the blue crab, with its high protein and low-fat content, may be an alternative nutrient-dense species for the rural population.

Keywords

• Crustacean
• Blue Crab
• Nutrient composition
• Gender differences
• Black Sea

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