Nutritional Composition of Edible Oysters (Crassostrea madrasensis L.) from the Southwest Coast of India

ABSTRACT

Nutritional composition of edible oysters (Crassostrea madrasensis) from the wild and cultured growth habitats from the southwest coast of India were evaluated over 4 years (2008–2011) during the premonsoon season. The important nutritional qualities of this species have been correlated with chlorophyll-a concentration, sea surface temperature, and phytoplankton density in their growth environments. The higher proportions of total polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids in the edible oysters collected from the wild habitats were significantly correlated with chlorophyll-a concentration revealing the role of the phytoplanktons to contribute to the occurrence of these vital fatty acids. The ideal atherogenic index (AI); thrombogenicity index (TI); hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio (HH); and balanced quantities of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and low cholesterol contents qualified C. madrasensis as a potential health food.

KEYWORDS:

• edible oyster
• Crassostrea madrasensis
• nutrients
• fatty acids
• amino acids
• climatic factors

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi for providing necessary facilities and encouragements to carry out this work. The authors thank the Director of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute for his guidance and support. Thanks are due to the Head of the Marine Biotechnology Division, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute for facilitating the research activity.

Funding

Funding was provided by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research Outreach Activity-3 on “Nutrient Profiling of Fish as a Food for Health and Dietary Component.”

Additional information

Funding

Funding was provided by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research Outreach Activity-3 on “Nutrient Profiling of Fish as a Food for Health and Dietary Component.”