Comparison of fatty acid and proximate compositions of the body and claw of male and female blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) from different regions of the Mediterranean coast

Fatty acid and proximate compositions of the body and claw of male and female blue crabs from Akyatan Lagoon and Hurma strait were investigated. Male blue crab meat had a higher protein and fat content, and lower moisture and ash content, than that of the female from Akyatan Lagoon. Moreover, there were variations of protein and fat amounts in both female crab meats between Akyatan Lagoon and Hurma strait. The dominant saturated fatty acids were palmitic acid (16:0; range from ～12% to 15%) and stearic acid (18:0; range from ～7.5% to 16.1%) for all samples. The total monounsaturated fatty acid content in the body of female crabs from Akyatan Lagoon was higher than those of Hurma Strait (22.04% versus 7.55%). There were no statistically significant differences (P >0.05) between eicosapentaenoic acid concentrations in body meat of the male crab than those of female crab meat from Akyatan Lagoon (P<0.05). Docosahexaenoic acid contents were different between the body meat of male crabs from Akyatan Lagoon and those of female crabs from Hurma strait. The total n3 was detected as 27.33% in body meat whereas it was 24.39% in claw meat of the male crab from Akyatan Lagoon. Those values were almost similar in the body and claw meat of female crab from Akyatan Lagoon.