Abstract:

The nutritional components in edible part of Coelomactra antiquata (Spengler) from the nature sanctuaryof Coelomactra antiquata in Changle, east China’s Fujian Province were investigated and compared with those ofother bivalves. The results showed that the contents of moisture, crude protein, crude fat and ash in fresh edible part ofCoelomactra antiquata were 79.87%, 12.07%, 0.58% and 5.47%, respectively. Eighteen amino acids were determined in theedible part of Coelomactra antiquata. In dry sample, the total content of amino acids (TAA) was 63.37%, the contents ofessential amino acids (EAA) and delicious amino acids (FAA) were 26.23% and 25.46%, respectively. The ratio of essentialamino acids and delicious amino acids to total amino acids was 41.39% and 40.18%, respectively. The ratio of total essentialamino acids to total nonessential amino acids (ΣEAA /ΣNEAA) was 70.62%. The ratio of branch-chain amino acids toaromatic amino acids was 2.77. According to nutritional evaluation based on amino acids score (AAS) and chemical score(CS), the first limiting amino acid was tryptophan (Trp) and the second limiting amino acids were methionine + cystinol(Met + Cys). It was clear that the constitutional rate of the essential amino acids met the standard of Food and AgricultureOrganization of the United Nations /World Health Organization (FAO/WHO), as the essential amino acids index (EAAI)was 78.53. Sixteen common fatty acids were found in the edible part of Coelomactra antiquata, including 7 saturated fattyacids (SFA), 5 mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and 4 poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The contents of unsaturatedfatty acids (UFA) and PUFA were 68.19% and 34.45%, respectively. Among PUFA, the ratio of EPA and DHA togetherto PUFA was 95.56%. The mineral composition of the edible part of Coelomactra antiquata was reasonable, containingabundant amounts of the macro elements P, Ca and Mg, and the trace elements Fe and Zn, and small amounts of 11 othertrace elements including Se, Cu, Cr, Co, etc. In conclusion, this study indicates that Coelomactra a

Key words: Coelomactra antiquata (Spengler), edible part, nutritional composition, amino acids, fatty acids, mineral substance