Black Sea Mussels Qualitative and Quantitative Chemical Analysis: Nutritional Benefits and Possible Risks through Consumption

Abstract

Mussels have a particular nutritional value, representing a highly valued food source and thus sought after worldwide. Their meat is a real culinary delicacy, rich in proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, trace elements, enzymes, and vitamins. The seasonal variation of mussels' biochemical composition has been studied to determine the best harvesting period to capitalize on various biologically active fractions. In this work biochemical determinations have been performed on fresh flesh samples of Mytilus galloprovincialis specimens from the Black Sea coast to study seasonal variations in mussels' biochemical compounds. An analysis of significant lipid classes and the fatty acid composition of lipid extracts obtained from mussel flesh has also been performed. Since mussels retain pollutants from the marine environment, in parallel, the concentration of heavy metals in the meat of mussels collected for the analysis of the chemical composition was investigated. The impact and risk of heavy metal poisoning due to food consumption of mussels contaminated due to pollution of the marine harvesting area was evaluated by the bio-concentration factor of metals and estimated daily intakes of heavy metals through mussel consumption.

Keywords: biochemical compounds; bioconcentration factor; estimated daily intake; heavy metals; mussels; nutritive quality; polyunsaturated fatty acids; total lipid extract.

Figure 1

Mytilus galloprovincialis from Romanian seaside.

Figure 2

The seasonal variations in biochemical composition of mussel flesh collected from A1 area, the harbor area near Port of Tomis (dry basis, %): autumn (a), winter (b), summer (c), spring (d).

Figure 3

Variation in concentrations of the main classes of compounds in the M. galloprovincialis flesh specimens collected from different sites (% dry sample). A1 area, the harbor area near Port of Tomis, the beach area (A2) near Costinesti Beach and the industrial area (A3) near Navodari.

Figure 4

Distribution of main lipid classes relative to total lipid in M. galloprovincialis flesh.

Figure 5

Lipid fractions distribution in mussel total lipid extract: Phospholipids (1); Glycolipids (2); Triglycerides (3); Methyl esters of fatty acids (4); Hydrocarbons and pigments (5); Other lipids (sterols, fatty alcohols, fatty acids etc.) (6).

Figure 6

The metal levels detected in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) meat and shell from the Black Sea: cadmium (a), chromium (b), copper (c), nickel (d), lead (e), zinc (f). Area1, the harbor area near Port of Tomis, the beach area (area2) near Costinesti Beach and the industrial area (area3) near Navodari.

Figure 7

The metal bioconcentration factors related to water and sediment samples in studied areas for cadmium (a), chromium (b), copper (c), nickel (d), lead (e), zinc (f). Area1, the harbor area near Port of Tomis, the beach area (area2) near Costinesti Beach and the industrial area (area3) near Navodari.