Seasonal variations in yield, fatty acids, amino acids and proximate compositions of sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) roe

Abstract

Sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) roes are popular delicacy to human. in this study, seasonal variations in the yield, fatty acid, amino acid and proximate compositions of sea urchin roe were studied. The average yield was 5.45 +/- 2.21%. Protein, crude fat, moisture, ash and carbohydrate contents were 12.03 +/- 1.26%, 3.05 +/- 0.50%, 79.87 +/- 1.43%, 2.25 +/- 0.24%, and 2.80 +/- 2.41%, respectively. The fatty acids of C16:0, C20:5 n3 and C22:2 n6 were the important fatty acids, whereas the major amino acids were glutamic acid (non-essential, NE), glycine (NE), aspartic acid (NE), lysine (essential, E) and arginine (NE). The E/NE ratio was 0.58 +/- 0.01 and fatty acids were rich in PUFA. It was concluded that sea urchin roes are rich sources of unsaturated fatty acids, proteins and amino acids, which are the essential components of human nutrition.