Comparison between the nutritional qualities of wild-caught and rice-field male Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis)

This study investigated the tissue indices and composition of conventional nutrients in three edible parts (hepatopancreas, gonads, and muscle) of wild-caught and rice-field male Eriocheir sinensis. The hepatopancreas index (HSI) of rice-field crabs was significantly higher than that of wild-caught crabs, whereas the gonadosomatic index (GSI) was significantly lower. No significant differences were observed in the muscle yield (MY), total edible yield (TEY), condition factor (CF), or proximate composition between the two crab types, except for the crude protein content in the hepatopancreas of rice-field crabs, which was significantly higher. The amino acid assessment results showed that both types of crabs were high-quality protein sources, and the main amino acids contained in both crabs are glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and alanine, but wild-caught crabs had higher content of umami amino acids. The mineral content in wild-caught crabs was higher than that in rice-field crabs. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (MUFA and PUFA) were much higher in the edible tissues of wild-caught crabs than in the tissues of rice-field crabs. Overall, both crab types showed good nutritional quality suitable for human dietary needs. However, wild-caught crabs showed superior quality to rice-field crabs in terms of minerals, fatty acid composition, and taste.