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Chemical composition, nutritive value and health benefits of edible clam Meretrix casta (Chemnitz) from West Coast of India

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Abstract

The present study was undertaken with a view to determine the nutraceutical value of the commonly consumed edible clam, Meretrix casta (Chemnitz), based on the identification of its organic chemical constituents particularly lipids and carbohydrates. Electrospray ionization tandem mass analysis of the bivalve indicated maltodextrins to be the major carbohydrate constituent. Triacylglycerols (TAGs) (0.88%, dry weight) were rich in C14:0, C16:0 to C18:0 (6–11%) saturated and monounsaturated palmitoleic (C16:1n9c; 11.76%) and oleic fatty acids (C18:1n9c; 14.53%). Though the clams contained PUFAs which are known to be beneficial in lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases, they were devoid of docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n3). Maltodextrins being less digestible than glucose beneficially affects the host by selectively stimulating the growth of gut microflora particularly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria. These microflora inhibit colonization of pathogens by producing butyrate. The profile of sterols (1.67%, dry wt.) showed it to be a complex mixture of C26, C27, C29 and C30. To our knowledge no reports are available in the literature on the identification of maltodextrins and of positional distribution of PUFA’s at the sn2 position of TAGs in M. casta. The results of this study demonstrated the positive attributes of the bivalve for human consumption.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge Director, CSIR-NIO, for constant support and encouragement. They are also grateful to CSIR (OLP 1712) for providing financial support. We also sincerely thank Dr Sanitha K. Sivadas (CSIR-RA) for identifying the clams and the reviewers for their comments which greatly helped in improving the quality of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bioorganic Chemistry Lab, Chemical Oceanography Division, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, 403004, Goa, India

    Solimabi Wahidullah, Prabha Devi & Lisette D’Souza

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  1. Solimabi Wahidullah
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  2. Prabha Devi
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  3. Lisette D’Souza
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Contributions

SW wrote the manuscript and interpreted the data. PD carried out experimental work. LD planned the work.

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Correspondence to Solimabi Wahidullah.

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13197_2020_4630_MOESM1_ESM.docx

Online Resource 1 1H NMR spectrum of fraction PF1 (TAG). Online Resource 2 13CNMR signals of PF1 (TAG). Online Resource 3Negative ESI–MS spectrum of the shellfish M. casta extract. Online Resource 4 1HNMR signals of the fraction PF2 (Steroids). Online Resource 513CNMR signals of fraction PF2 (Steroids). Online Resource 6 Structural assignments and ESI–MS/MS data of selected sterols found in M. casta. (DOCX 1097 kb)

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Wahidullah, S., Devi, P. & D’Souza, L. Chemical composition, nutritive value and health benefits of edible clam Meretrix casta (Chemnitz) from West Coast of India. J Food Sci Technol 58, 1165–1176 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-020-04630-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-020-04630-z

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