Amino acid profile, fatty acid profile and status of non-essential trace metals of marketed bivalves from the Maowei Sea, China

Bivalves (Mollusca: Bivalvia) are an important source of animal protein for coastal communities. Given bivalves are typically stored at room conditions for a period to eliminate sand and undergo depuration before reaching consumers. Evaluation of the nutritional composition and contaminant levels in bivalves available in the markets can serve as an indicator of the quality of bivalves reaching consumers. In this context, this study assessed the protein and lipid nutritional quality, as well as non-essential trace metal content, of three commercially available bivalves ( Anadara granosa (cockles), Meretrix meretrix (clam), and Crassostrea hongkongesnsis (oyster)) from the Maowei Sea, China. The findings of this study can provide consumers with clearer information on the nutritional quality and contaminant levels of market-sold bivalves from this region.