Nutritional value of crustaceans from Lagoone-Estuary Complex Mundaú/Manguaba-Alagoas

ABSTRACT

In order to evaluate the nutritional value of Pilar soft crab (Callinectes bocourt A.) and uçá crab (Ucides cordatus L.), 20 samples of both crustaceans were collected from lagoone-estuary complex Mundaú/Manguaba, located in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. Results from this analysis showed a high levels of moisture (sof crab - 79.82%; crab 78.85%), proteins (soft crab - 17.71; crab - 17.99%) and ash (soft crab - 2.18%; crab - 2,06%), and reduced values of lipids (soft crab - 2.78%; - crab 2.57%). Caloric values reached to 96.0 kcal in soft crab and 95.0 kcal in crab. Cholesterol levels were very low, being 34.65mg/100mg in Pilar soft crab and 35.37mg/100mg in crab-uçá. As for fatty acids contents, the Pilar soft crab presented 37.9% of saturated, 23.2% of monounsaturated and 29.9% of poyunsaturated; while uçá-crab presented 30.0% of saturated, 31.4% of monounsaturated and 34.9% of polyunsturated. In view of these results, both species should be considered a healthy food, and their xonsuption should be stimulated.