Nutritional profiling of nutrient-dense bivalves from the Indian Peninsula as a sustainable blue food source: From sea to superfood

Abstract

Marine bivalves are emerging as nutrient-rich “Blue Foods” with potential to address malnutrition and support sustainable diets. This study profiled the nutritional composition of five species, such as Perna viridis, Saccostrea cucullata, Geloina erosa, Perna indica, and Magallana bilineata, from the Indian Peninsula. Bivalves, characterized by > 75 % moisture and ∼1 % ash content, were found to be protein-rich (11–15 %), with particularly high levels in P. viridis (14.96 %) and G. erosa (14.6 %). Essential amino acids (EAAs) constituted 54–58 % of total amino acids in P. viridis, S. cucullata, and G. erosa, dominated by phenylalanine, leucine, and arginine (making up to 27–30 % of EAAs). M. bilineata and S. cucullata showed elevated Arg/Lys ratios (> 6.7), suggesting cardiovascular and immune benefits. Mineral profiles were species-specific, with S. cucullata and M. bilineata being particularly rich in zinc (⁓ 45 mg/kg), while G. erosa showed the highest concentrations of iron (⁓ 41 mg/kg) and magnesium (⁓2635 mg/kg) content. Polyunsaturated fatty acids accounted for 27–30 % of the total fatty acid content across all species, with notable levels of eicosapentaenoic (6.6–8.7 %) and docosahexaenoic acid (4.0–5.3 %). These profiles resulted in favorable atherogenic (AI: 0.92–1.05) and thrombogenic indices (TI: 0.53–0.61) (TI: 0.53–0.61), particularly in P. indica, which exhibited the most favorable values (AI: 0.92; TI: 0.53). These findings highlight Indian bivalves as nutrient-dense superfoods.