Comparison in biochemical composition and nutritional value of the invasive Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, from Lake IJsselmeer, The Netherlands, and its natural habitat, the Yangtze River, China


The Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, as an invasive species, has formed a large wild population and become a new fishery resource in Lake IJsselmeer (IL) of The Netherlands. This study was conducted to quantify edible tissue indices, proximate composition, fatty acid and amino acid contents of crabs collected from IL, and make a comparison with wild crabs from the species’ native habitat, the Yangtze River (YZ). It showed that: (1) YZ had a significantly higher meat yield and total edible yield; (2) YZ showed higher lipid and protein contents at a lower gonadosomatic index; (3) IL had a higher level of C20:4n6, C20:5n3 and C22:6n3 in the hepatopancreas, and higher EPA and DHA in the ovaries; (4) although YZ has a clear advantage, both IL and YZ muscle were high in contents of essential as well as delicious amino acids. In conclusion, adult E. sinensis living in IL, The Netherlands, also have a rich nutritional value with a high edible yield.