Chemical and nutritional characterisation of the Central Mediterranean Giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea): Influence of trophic and geographical factors on flesh quality

The Giant red shrimp (GRS, Aristaeomorpha foliacea) is a seafood product that is highly appreciated on the Italian market. This work aims at investigating whether a close relationship can be established amongst the area of origin, sex and the GRS quality. GRS samples caught in five Geographical Sub-Areas in the Central Mediterranean Sea, were analysed for their chemical and physical parameters. All the GRS samples had a good nutritional quality and those caught from Northern Tunisia, the Southern Ionian Sea and in the Crete areas showed the highest levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n3 series, with high concentrations of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. Samples caught from Northern Tunisia and in the Crete areas also showed the best colour and lightness values, whilst those caught from Northern Tunisia and in the Southern Ionian Sea areas showed the highest flesh hardness values. The highest total carotenoids content was found in the GRS samples caught in the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea and Crete areas. Finally, the GRS composition indicates that this seafood is a good source of nutrients and natural antioxidants, with lower atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes, which may provide some health benefits to consumers. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.