Biochemical Composition and Heavy Metal Accumulation in Tissues of the Blue Crab Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1766) from NW of Arabian Gulf, south Iraq

The current study aimed determine biochemical composition (protein, fats carbohydrates) and accumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu and Fe) in the muscle tissues of blue crab Portunus pelgicus (Linnaeus, 1766). Samples of species were collected in summer and winter from NW of the Arabian Gulf, during 2017. Biochemical analysis of male and female found high rates of protein in male and carbohydrate ratios were highest in female, whereas fat was highest female. Protein was apparently high level, was reported (81.47%) in dry weight in male. High level of fat (lipid) content was reported (8.80%) in the females. Likewise higher level of carbohydrate content was noticed (6.72%) in females. The analysis showed that occurrence of metals in muscle tissue of male and female were in the order Fe>Cu>Zn>Pb>Cd. the mean of Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu and Fe concentrations in muscle for male crabs were slightly higher than the average levels of female crabs. Iron was the highest accumulated metal (68.62, 45.24 μg/g) followed by copper (45.24, 23.16 μg/g), zinc 18.98, 9.67 μg/g), lead (1.74, 0.87 μg/g) while cadmium was lowest (0.43, 0.74 μg/g) in tissues of male and female respectively. In general, the objective of this study for determines the proximate Chemical Composition of crab a good source of proteins and metabolically energy and average mineral supply.