Investigations on mineral content in warty crab Eriphia verrucosa (Forskal, 1775) from the Rize Coast of Black Sea, Turkey

Abstract

This study investigated the seasonal variations in mineral content of edible parts of male and female warty crab Eriphia verrucosa (Forskal, 1775) distributed along Rize Coast of Black Sea and compared the same with the limit values of mineral content for human consumption set by various national and international standards. The contents of Al, B, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni and P estimated during the present study did not exceed the limit values as per the national and international standards. However, Pb (0.25-0.70 mg kg-1), Se (0.29-0.75 mg kg-1) and Zn (43.86-72.59 mg kg-1) contents were found to be above the limit values. In terms of daily consumption values, it was found that, Al (1.86-3.35 mg kg-1), B (2.17-3.65 mg kg-1), Fe (2.80-6.44 mg kg-1) and Mo (0.01-0.02 mg kg-1) contents were within the limits as per all standards; while Ca, Cd, Cr, K, Mg, Mn, Na and P contents were above the limits prescribed by certain standards and Cu, Pb, Se and Zn contents were above the limits as per all the standards Most mineral contents of female crabs were higher than those of the males. Additionally, mineral content of the crabs was observed to increase during summer compared to other seasons.