| Author: | Nargis Akter |
| Roll: | NFH1902011F |
| Batch | 15th batch |
| Session | 2019-20 |
Abstract:
Green mussel (Perna viridis) is a non-conventional fishery item which is abundantly found in coastal regions of Bangladesh. It is rich in essential nutrients but remain underutilized due to cultural preferences and limited market demand. This study explores the comparative nutritional profiles of wild and cultured green mussels from Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. It aims to evaluate their potential as a sustainable food source to address malnutrition, particularly micronutrient deficiencies in Bangladesh. The nutritional composition of wild and cultured green mussel was analyzed, focusing on proximate composition, amino acid profiles, fatty acid content, and mineral composition. The methods used for analysis are standard AOAC techniques for proximate analysis, HPLC for amino acid profiling, and Gas Chromatography for fatty acids. Mineral content was measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed significant differences between wild and cultured mussels. Cultured mussels showed higher crude protein content (10.31 ± 0.04%) compared to wild mussels (9.94 ± 0.03%). On the other hand, wild mussels contained significantly higher levels of essential minerals, particularly iron and calcium. The fatty acid profile showed that wild mussels had significantly higher polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which is beneficial for cardiovascular health. Wild mussels also exhibited higher concentrations of essential amino acids such as leucine and lysine. These are crucial for human health. These findings highlight the nutritional value of wild green mussels, which offer greater health benefits due to their higher iron, calcium, and omega-3 content. Cultured mussels are richer in protein and provide a valuable source of nutrition. Promoting green mussel farming in Bangladesh, particularly in coastal areas, could provide a sustainable and affordable solution to combat malnutrition, improve public health, and support local economic development through the blue economy model.