Analysis of Nutritional Components of the Hermit Crab Pagurus ochotensis for Human Consumption

Summary : We analyzed the nutritional components of the hermit crab Pagurus ochotensis , an untapped poten-tial marine resource. Deshelled whole P. ochotensis specimens with the exoskeleton were analyzed for proxi-mate composition and heavy metals, and partly divided specimens along with the exoskeleton were also analyzed for free amino acids and fatty acids. The lipid, ash and carbohydrate contents were high, whereas the water content was low, due to inclusion of the exoskeleton. Mercury, lead, and cadmium were not detected. The total arsenic content was 0 . 77 ppm. The total free amino acid and taurine contents were higher than those of the snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio . P. ochotensis also contained anserine and carnosine. The abdomen had high levels of eicosapentaenoic acid （ EPA ） and docosahexaenoic acid （ DHA ） （1 , 600 mg and 800 mg per 100 g, respec-tively ） , although there was some seasonal variation. Interestingly, the EPA content was higher than that of blue-fin tuna （1 , 400 mg per 100 g belly meat ） . Because there are some reports of human consumption, and the heavy metal content of P. ochotensis is not problematic as a foodstuff, we conclude that it could be used as a food resource. Nutritionally, P. ochotensis is characterized by high levels of free amino acids, taurine, anserine, and carnosine, as well as a high content of the functional fatty acids EPA and DHA.