Comparative biochemical study of the crab Charybdis feriatus from marine and estuarine water

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare the biochemical profile of crab (Charybdis feriatus) inhabiting both estuarine and marine habitat, and to establish the nutritive value of the crab from different ecosystem. The protein, carbohydrate and lipid contents were found to be (21.8 mg/g, 2.1 mg/g and 0.2g) respectively, in crab inhabiting estuarine habitat and the amount of protein (5.1mg/g), carbohydrate (1.3 mg/g) and lipid (0.4g) was found in crab inhabiting marine habitat. The total lipid and protein estimation results that the nutritive value of marine crab is higher when compared to crab from estuary region, whereas the carbohydrate levels are comparatively higher in crab collected from estuary. The differences found in this study of the two habitats may probably due to the available diet in the different regions and their environmental factors.