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Key research themes
1. How can the microbial quality and safety of edible crabs be assessed and improved in different aquaculture and market settings?
This research area focuses on evaluating the microbiological status of edible crabs across diverse geographic regions and evaluating the risks posed to human health. It also investigates hygiene, contamination sources, and microbial load variations related to handling and processing practices, thereby informing safer farming and marketing protocols.
Key finding: This study systematically quantified microbial loads exceeding regulatory limits in fresh and smoked Callinectes amnicola samples from landing sites and markets in Southern Benin, highlighting significant fecal contamination... Read more
Key finding: Through microbiological analyses of total and fecal coliforms in muscle and gill tissues of mud crabs from Indian Sundarbans, this work demonstrated prevalent microbial contamination indicative of environmental and fecal... Read more
Key finding: Analyzing total and fecal coliform bacteria in the muscle and gills of cultured mud crabs in West Bengal, this study revealed notable bacterial presence reflecting contamination from estuarine waters prone to fecal pollution... Read more
Key finding: This investigation measured heavy metal concentrations (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd) in muscle tissues of Scylla serrata from Gangetic deltaic estuaries, identifying environmentally derived metal accumulation with implications for... Read more
2. What are the nutritional and biochemical compositions of edible crabs, and how do these vary among species and anatomical parts?
This theme examines crabs' proximate composition including proteins, lipids, amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals to evaluate their nutritive value for human consumption. The objective is to characterize chemical profiles of various crab species and body regions, supporting enhanced utilization, dietary recommendations, and food product development in both native and invasive species contexts.
Key finding: By analyzing separately the body and appendage tissues of Calappa lophus, this study documented specific quantities of protein, carbohydrate, lipids, amino acids (21 total), fatty acids (6), and key minerals (Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe,... Read more
Key finding: This comprehensive assessment of spiny-cheek crayfish meat from the Danube River confirmed microbiological safety and revealed a high-protein content (18.12%) with balanced essential amino acids and favorable polyunsaturated... Read more
Key finding: This comparative study revealed interspecific variation in proximate and elemental compositions of claw muscle tissues, notably lower protein content in C. sapidus compared to E. verrucosa and C. pagurus, and differential... Read more
Key finding: Using 1H NMR spectroscopy and multivariate analysis, this study discriminated metabolic profiles in aqueous and lipid extracts of raw claw muscle, identifying elevated glutamate and alanine in C. sapidus and homarine,... Read more
3. What are the challenges and emerging diseases affecting aquaculture and sustainable production of edible crabs?
This field addresses infectious diseases, parasitic infestations, and environmental stressors that constrain larval survival, growth, and yield in crab aquaculture. It investigates pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and dinoflagellates, their epidemiology, and impacts across different commercially cultivated species. Understanding these aspects is critical to improving hatchery success and sustainable aquaculture expansion.
Key finding: This review identifies key pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and Hematodinium spp. parasites, as major mortality factors in crab aquaculture, affecting species like Eriocheir sinensis, Scylla spp., and Cancer pagurus.... Read more
Key finding: By experimentally enriching rotifers with varying ratios of protein (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) and lipid emulsion rich in highly unsaturated fatty acids, this study demonstrated optimized larval survival and accelerated... Read more
4. How do feeding regimes affect growth, quality, and yield of edible crabs in culture or holding conditions?
This domain investigates how different feed types (live prey, formulated diets, fresh fish) impact crab meat yield, biochemical composition, sensory quality, and physiological indices. It supports introducing effective feeding strategies to improve crab product quality and market value, addressing bottlenecks in aquaculture and post-capture holding practices.
Key finding: This feeding experiment with medium-yield Norwegian Brown crabs demonstrated that both fresh Saithe fillet and a formulated moist diet enhanced hepatopancreas color, gonad dry weight, lipid content in hepatopancreas, and... Read more
Key finding: This pilot study correlated increased ambient seawater temperatures with higher feed intake and improved meat yield in wild-caught female edible crabs upon feeding over 15-20 day periods. Seasonal variations in hepatosomatic... Read more
Key finding: By comparing minced and whole jumbo lump meat of P. validus, this study found stronger water and oil absorption capacities in minced meat, as well as differential fatty acid contents and functional properties like foam... Read more