Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences

Vol. 43(4), April 2014, pp. 1-6

Comparative study on biochemical composition of

some edible marine molluscs at Canakkale coasts, Turkey
MeryemYeþim ÇELÝK1, Saniye TÜRK ÇULHA2, Mehmet ÇULHA2, Harun YILDIZ3, Sefa ACARLI3,
Ýhsan ÇELÝK3& Pýnar ÇELÝK3
1
Sinop University, Faculty of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Sinop, Turkey
2
Ýzmir KatipÇelebi University, Faculty of Fisheries,Çigli,Ýzmir-Turkey
3
Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Technology, Çanakkale, Turkey

[E-mail: yesimcelik@yahoo.com.tr]

Received ; revised

Present study was carried out, at Dardanelles and the Marmara Sea coasts during March 2011 to February 2012.
Ostreaedulis, Mytilusgalloprovincialis, Ruditapesdecussatus, Ruditapesphilippinarum and Rapanavenosawere collected
seasonally along with temperature and salinity. Biochemical composition of molluscs (protein, lipid, carbohydrate, moisture
and ash) was examined from the samples. Seasonal values of protein, lipid, carbohydrate, ash and moisture were mean
64.71±1.31%, 1.86±0.10%, 24.09±1.33%, 9.35±0.26% and 67.51±1.47% in R.venosa; 55.88±2.04%, 5.60±0.19%,
23.43±1.59%, 15.10±0.67% and 83.28±0.86% inR. philipinarium; 56.27±1.98%, 5.82±0.34%, 23.39±1.62%, 14.53±0.66%
and 83.58±0.59% in R. decussatus; 54.03±2.82%, 10.52±1.22%, 22.84±4.33%, 12.61±2.54% and 82.45±1.70% in M.
galloprovincialis; 48.11±3.04%, 8.81±0.65%, 29.16±4.62%, 13.92±1.89% and 82.25±2.66% in O. edulis, respectively.
Consequently, the sampled mollusc species has high protein (40.19 - 67.38 %) and low lipid (1.65 – 12.86 %). Overall, R.
venosa appears to be best as diet with relatively high protein and low lipid among other examined molluscs.

[Keywords: Mollusc, Biochemical composition, Dardanelles and Marmara Sea coasts]

Introduction
Protein deficiency will continue to increase
sharply in the coming decades1. For the present time
and near future, one of the most promising way to
close the gap can be overcome by effective utilization
of protein rich molluscs2. Molluscsare the largest
invertebrate animals living marine species and
represent 12% of the total production in the World3.
These include animals such as snails, clams, mussels,
and oysters that constitute popular protein rich foods
and can be used by all cultures as an important part
of the diet.
Several studies reported that marine mollusc
reserve biochemical energy in the reproductive and/
or somatic tissue for use when needed4,5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, 15
. The biochemical energy is stored in response
to the varying environmental food supply, the ability
of the animal to convert environmental energy in to
biologically usable units and forthe periods of
increased synthetic activity such as reproduction and
growth 16 . The growth and reproductive activity
affected to seasonal fluctuations of biochemical
composition17. In general, energy is stored prior to
gametogenesis when food is abundant in the form of
glycogen, lipid, and protein6,18.
Mussel, clam, oyster and sea snail have a high
export value in Turkey. The production based on
fishing and remains significantly below that of 39.000
tonnes in 2011 due to overfishing19. Aquaculture
offers one way to supplement the production and will
continue to increase in the future.

* Corresponding Author:
2 INDIAN J... VOL. 43 (4) APRIL 2014
In this sense, we consider that knowledge on
biochemical composition of higher economic value
species may support future aquaculture expansion in
the country. To date, many studies on biochemical
content of mussel M. galloprovincialis and oyster
O. edulis have been carried out, but no scientist has
ever studied on biochemical status on clams, R.
decussatus, R. philipinarium and sea snail R. venosa
in the Marmara sea20, 21. This experiment is also first
known study on R. philipinarium for Turkey. The aim
of study determines protein, lipid, carbohydrate,
moisture and ash content of these molluscs in the
Marmara Sea. In addition the experiment is
preliminary study and more detailed investigation on
biochemical composition, gametogenic cycle, meat
yield and growth pattern are needed from the area.
Material and Method
The study was carried out in North East coasts
of Dardanelles at the Marmara sea (west of
Bandýrma: 40°21′33"N, 27°51′13"E) from March
2011 to February 2012 (Fig. 1). Samples were
seasonally (May, August, November and February)
collected from depths approximately 3 m to15 m by
divers in the study area.
Fig. 1–Study area Inbalikesyr Coast, Turkey
Seasonally sampling was carried out for
environmental and biochemical composition of
molluscs. On each sampling date, temperature and
salinity were determined by using multiparameter
(WTW Multi 340i/SET type) at 3m depth.
The experiment was performed on Ostreaedulis,
Mytilusgalloprovincialis, Ruditapesdecussatus,
Ruditapesphilippinarum and Rapanavenosa.All
species were conspicuously identified22,23,24,25,26.
2354-Apr
Biochemical Analyses
Samples were transferred to the laboratory in a
cool box (6–9°C). All molluscs were scrubbed for
encrusting organism (e.g. barnacles, epifauna and
seaweeds). Thirty individuals of mussels
(M. galloprovincialis) and clams (R. decussatus,
R. philippinarum) and fifteen individuals of sea snail
(R. venosa) and oysters (O. edulis) were randomly
selected from each species group and used as three
replicates at every sampling date. Tissues from all
mollusc species were dissected from shells. Moisture
of triplicate samples was determined by drying in an
oven at 105°C for 20 h for each seasonally sample
date. Dried tissues of molluscs were kept in a deep-
freezer for biochemical analyses. Protein, lipid and
ash contents were quantified in each tissue sample.
Triplicate dry meat samples were analyzed for lipid,
protein and ash 27 . Total nitrogen content was
determined by the Kjeldahl method and was converted
to crude protein content by multiplying by 6.2527. Ash
weight was determined by combusting a known dry
weight of tissue at 500°C for 15 h in a muffle furnace
and reweighing the tissue. Carbohydrate content was
calculated by the difference of the sum of moisture,
fat, protein and ash contents from 100%. The
following formula was used for determining
carbohydrate content:
Carbohydrate (%) =100 - [lipid (%) + protein
(%) + ash (%)]
Statistical Analyses
Statistical analysis was evaluated by Microsoft
Excel (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA) and Minitab
Release 13.20 (Minitab Inc., State College, PA, USA).
All percentages of the data were transformed by arc-
sin transformation prior to the ANOVA and reversed
afterwards 28 . A correlation matrix was used to
determine the relationships between all measured
parameters.
Results
The temperature ranged from 9.3°C (February)
to 18°C (August) with a mean of 15.28 ± 2.01 °C.
Salinity varied between 21.8 psu (August) and 23.40
psu (February) with a mean of 22.50 ± 0.34 psu (Fig. 2).
 COMPARATIVE STUDY ON BIOCHEMICAL...TURKEY 3

Fig. 2–Seasonal distribution of mean temperature and

salinity in the study area

Temperature was significantlynegatively related with

lipid of clams and also carbohydrate of sea snail
(p<0.01).Salinity has also strong negative correlation
with lipid of mussels while strong positive correlation
with protein of oysters (p <0.01).
The mean of protein, lipid, carbohydrate, ash and
moisture were 64.71±1.31%, 1.86±0.10%,
24.09±1.33%, 9.35±0.26% and 67.51±1.47% for
R.venosa; 55.88±2.04%, 5.60±0.19%, 23.43±1.59%,
15.10±0.67% and 83.28±0.86% for R. philipinarium;
56.27±1.98%, 5.82±0.34%, 23.39±1.62%,
14.53±0.66% and 83.58±0.59% for R. decussatus;
54.03±2.82%, 10.52±1.22%, 22.84±4.33%,
12.61±2.54% and mean of 82.45±1.70% for
M. galloprovincialis; 48.11±3.04%, 8.81±0.65%,
29.16±4.62%, 13.92±1.89% and 82.25±2.66% for
O. edulis, respectively (Fig. 3.).
Discussion
The seasonal changes in dry weight of molluscs
largely reflect the stage of the reproduction cycle
which indirectly affects seasonal chemical content5, 29.
Therefore we have taken advantages of seasonal dry
matter fluctuations to evaluate the chemical content
changing of all mollusc species.
Fig. 3–Seasonal distribution of mean; proten (A), Lipid (B)
Gonadal development was almost same in Carbohydrate (C) Ash (D) and moisture (E) of R. venosa, R.
R. decussatus and R. philipinarium29, 30. Our results philipinarium, R. decussatus, M. galloprovincialis and O.
similarly demonstrated, the biochemical composition edulis. century. Lohmann Information, 42(2007) 1-8.
of carpet shell clam (R. decussatus) and manila clam
(R. philipinarium) were found in parallel seasonal start time. So our data did not directly show a first
pattern. When the experiment was initiated (May), spawning period. The spawning event of
dry weight was maximum and decreased till its T. decussatusoccurred in March and continued to July
minimum level in August which evinced the situation in Dardanelle Strait (Çanakkale coast)29. In the present
of spawning of clams. However, it was possible to study, dry matter increased from August to November
begin the spawning activity earlier months (March and decreased again until February. This situation
or April) and might be missed as a result of experiment showed that gamete ripening and spawning activity

2354-Apr
4 INDIAN J... VOL. 43 (4) APRIL 2014
continued most probably through the year because
temperature varied between 9°C and 18°C. Gonadal
development constitutes between 8°C and 12°C and
egg release occurred in 14°C18,30. Our data also
indicate that carbohydrate reserves of clams started
decreased with spawning and minimum level was
obtained in November and again start to increase
towards to February which showed that clams
accumulated carbohydrate before gametogenesis for
use in egg maturation and spawning activity. Our
results were similar with many studies31,32. Protein
content of clams was lower in May, spawning time,
and gradually increased towards to November when
calculated highest protein and high dry meat rate.
Protein is major source of bivalve eggs and use as
energy source during egg development32. Protein was
lowest in February which could show that partial
spawning occurrence and also use an alternative
energy source under food scarcity conditions33. Lipid
value of clams was significantly strong negative
relationship with temperature (p<0.01). Lipid was
lower in May and August during spawning activity
and was highest in February because of gonad
maturation. Lipids are the biomolecules that are more
influenced by gametogenesis34.
The present study demonstrated that protein, lipid,
carbohydrate, ash and moisture values of mussels and
oysters displayed similar and depending on
reproduction period. Lipid and carbohydrate values
were at their highest level in August. Lipid and
carbohydrate of bivalves were peak when organic
matter in the seawater was higher, in the spring and
summer months35. Dry meat of mussels and oysters
was determined peak in August and decreased in
November that could also show second spawning time
(the first breeding season was probably missed due
the same reason of clams, sampling time). In addition
the highest level of lipid and carbohydrate were in
August and lipid gradually decreased to February
while carbohydrate showed their minimum level in
November. It is clearly demonstrated that protein and
lipid decreased due to ovulationand lipids were an
energy source used for egg proliferation. However,
protein and carbohydrate values showed marked
seasonal variation and there is a clear inverse
2354-Apr
relationship between these two components (p<0.05).
These results indicate that protein and carbohydrate
reserves were not used for the same purpose. Many
studies have also reported parallel results. The
biochemical composition cycles of mussels and
oysters indicated annual patterns of accumulation
and the use of reserves due to a complex interaction
between food availability, growth and reproduction36, 37, 38.
During the reproduction phase, bivalves heavily
utilise their reserves in order to meet the energetic
requirements of gametogenesis and spawning6, 32.
As in many other marine molluscs, the gonadal
maturation of R. venosa had an annual periodicity
during the reproductive season, with a sharp decrease
in the gonad index of female whelks between July
and late August16,18,39. According tothesea snail data
of sampled months, dry weight and ash content
dropped their lowest level in August that clearly
showed spawning period; mating occurred during
winter and spring and egg cases were laid in May to
August. Similar results were obtained that ash rate
was obtained lower in August and September than
other months40. In addition, several studies reported
similar period that R. venosa spawns between June
and August and similar periods, May to September41, 42.
Protein level was determined highest (67.38%) in
August, whereas lipid content gradually decreased
from May to February through spawning activity. The
protein values of 64.71% of the present study were
more with the protein values of 53.7% and 12.53 %
in flesh meat and 16% in flesh meat 40,43,44. Thus
R. venosa would be better alternative sources since it
contains the highest protein among other sampled
molluscs in the region.
Conclusion
Present study reveals that the mollusc species are
one of the best protein source with high level (40.19
- 67.38 %) and low lipid (1.65 – 12.86 %).Overall,
R. venosa appears to be best as diet with relatively
high protein and low lipid. However, seasonal
sampling appears to be insufficient for clearly
understanding reproduction properties and chemical
composition due to excessively lengthy sampling
interval. Thus, monthly sampling should be advisable
in the future studies.
 COMPARATIVE STUDY ON BIOCHEMICAL...TURKEY
Acknowledgement
Authors are grateful to the program of
Scientific Research Project (BAP/062) in
Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University for providing
financial support.
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