Chemical composition of snow crab shells (Chionoecetes opilio)

The snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) shells have potential important economical and industrial applications due to their chemical composition. They have a high content of protein (34.2% dw) and essential amino acids; they also have fat (17.1% dw), with a high proportion of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. About 28.5% dw corresponds to ash (calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium are the major minerals). The mean concentrations of vitamin E, astaxantin, and beta-carotene were 23.3, 9.49, and 0.2 mg/100 g dw, respectively. Results presented in this study indicate that snow crab by-products may serve as excellent nutritional components for future applications in the health and food sectors.