Major Mineral (P, K, Ca ) Contents and Proximate Compositions of the Male and Female Blue Swimming Crab (Portunus segnis Forskal, 1775) from Northeastern Mediterranean Sea, Mersin Bay, Turkey

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the nutritive value of blue swimming crab (Portunus segnis Forskal, 1775). Selected major mineral (P, K, Ca) contents, proximate compositions and fatty acids contents in female and male specimens of blue swimming were investigated. Crab samples used in this research were obtained from Northeastern Mediterranean Sea, Mersin Bay, Turkey. There were no significant differences in the nutritive value between the sexes (p>0.05).  The protein was identified as 20.16% and 19.03% for female and male crab respevtively.  This species was found to be rich in minerals and low in fat (0.66% for male, 0.91% for female) when compared with other economical crab species from Mediterranean Sea/Turkey. In fatty acid composition, the saturated fatty acid fraction was dominant, followed by monounsaturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid for both sexes. In conclusion, from a nutritional point of view, both male and female blue swimming crab are demonstrated acceptable quality. Keywords: Minerals, Proximate analysis, Blue swimming crab; Portunus segnis; Mediterranean se

Short communication: Seasonal changes in biochemical composition and meat yield of shabut (Barbus grypus, Heckel 1843)

According to the records of FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), Shabut, also known as Barbus grypus, is one of the most significant fish species listed in the fresh waters of Iraq and in the rivers along South and Southwest Iran, the Karoon river, and also in the Euphrates River and Tigris Rivers in Turkey. This fish with dark anal and tail fins and other light colored fins is one of the leading fish species from the Atatürk Dam Lake with great importance in economy. ... Through a retrospective study of the literature, it was recognized that the analysis carried out so far on Barbus grypus was insufficient and the data on its nutritional value was inadequate. However, it is extremely important to determine and keep a record of the nutritional quality of such type of nutrients for healthy consumption. In this study, Shabut (Barbus grypus) was examined for amino acid sufficiency and balance, additionally the seasonal changes in nutritional values of mineral substances and fatty acids which are known to have extremely important effects on human health were identified with this research. The samples of Shabut (Barbus grypus) used in the research were classified according to their length and then the amounts that were edible and inedible were identified with a 0.1g precision scale to obtain meat yield. The ratio of the remaining weight of meat to the total body weight after removing the head, fins, scales and all internal organs was measured as the net edible meat yield and reported in percentage (%)

Comparison of the Color Properties of Farmed and Wild Gilthead Sea Bream Fillets (Sparus aurata) Stored in Ice for 14 Days

Changes in color properties of farmed and wild gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) fillets during iced storage were investigated. Values of L*, a*, b*, Chroma (C*ab), Hue (Hab)  Redness index (a*/b*) were observed during 14 days. At the end of the storage period increases were observed in the L* values for both groups due to protein denaturation of fillets in iced storage. Redness index (a*/b*) and hue values were better criteria than C*ab value for observing the color changes of fillets. Keywords: Color, Gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata, Fillets, Iced storag

Review on Omega-3 (n-3) Fatty Acids in Fish and Seafood

Aquatic organisms (fish, algaes and other sea organisms) are the main natural sources of essential fatty acids in the human diet in particular. The fish oil is considered to have the highest amounts of n-3 PUFAs (Poly-Unsaturated Fatty Acids), which play important roles in the human body, such as in the synthesis of specific active compounds, in the brain and eye development of infants, as well as in the prevention of coronary heart disease. However, public opinion is commonly that different species of fish are of similar nutritional value, and fish selections are made only based on availability freshness, flavor, and other physical factors. Therefore, when fish is suggested for consumption, the PUFA composition must be considered. Extensive research has been done on fatty acids composition of some fish species. However,  significant variations have been noted in the PUFA composition of various fish species. Keywords: essential fatty acids, PUFAs, n-3, fish, seafoo

Coralline Algae in a Changing Mediterranean Sea: How Can We Predict Their Future, if We Do Not Know Their Present?

In this review we assess the state of knowledge for the coralline algae of the Mediterranean Sea, a group of calcareous seaweeds imperfectly known and considered highly vulnerable to long-term climate change. Corallines have occurred in the Mediterranean area for ∼140 My and are well-represented in the subsequent fossil record; for some species currently common the fossil documentation dates back to the Oligocene, with a major role in the sedimentary record of some areas. Some Mediterranean corallines are key ecosystem engineers that produce or consolidate biogenic habitats (e.g., coralligenous concretions, Lithophyllum byssoides rims, rims of articulated corallines, maerl/rhodolith beds). Although bioconstructions built by corallines exist virtually in every sea, in the Mediterranean they reach a particularly high spatial and bathymetric extent (coralligenous concretions alone are estimated to exceed 2,700 km2 in surface). Overall, composition, dynamics and responses to human disturbances of coralline-dominated communities have been well-studied; except for a few species, however, the biology of Mediterranean corallines is poorly known. In terms of diversity, 60 species of corallines are currently reported from the Mediterranean. This number, however, is based on morphological assessments and recent studies incorporating molecular data suggest that the correct estimate is probably much higher. The responses of Mediterranean corallines to climate change have been the subject of several recent studies that documented their tolerance/sensitivity to elevated temperatures and pCO2. These investigations have focused on a few species and should be extended to a wider taxonomic set

Chemical and sensory changes of pike perch (Sander lucioperca Bogustkaya & Naseka 1996) fillets during frozen storage (18 degrees C)

WOS: 000177741200027In this study chemical and sensory changes were investigated in pike perch (Sander lucioperca Bogustkaya & Naseka 1996) fillets during frozen storage (-18 C) of 7 months Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB N mg N/100 g) thiobarbituric acid (TBA mg malonaldehyde/1000 g) and pH were considered as chemical quality criteria of fish flesh TVB N value was 4 19 mg N/100 g at the beginning but increased to 14 90 mg N/100 g at the end of the research TBA and pH values were changed as 0 0208 0 0533 mg malonaldeyde/1000 g and 6 80 7 02 respectively At the end of the study the chemical quality did not reach the critical values However the decrease in the values of sensory analyses were faster than those of chemical analyses

COMPARISON OF FATTY ACID PROFILES OF MALE AND FEMALE GIANT RED SHRIMPS (Aristaeomorpha foliacea RISSO, 1827) OBTAINED FROM MEDITERRANEAN SEA

This study was carried out to detect the concentration of fatty acid in female and male specimens of commercially important giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) obtained from (including 20 male shrimps and also 20 female shrimp) Mediterranean Sea. In fatty acid composition, the saturated fatty acid fraction was dominant, followed by polyunsaturated fatty acid and monounsaturated fatty acid for both sexes. The analyses indicated that PUFAs, and the MUFAs content were higher in female shrimp than in those of males and they were statistically significant differences in fatty acid profile between females and males (p<0.05)

Trace metals in marine macroalgae samples from the İskenderun Bay, Turkey

İskenderun Bay, located in the most north-eastern part of Mediterranean Sea, is potentially threatened by anthropogenic activities, such as fishing, shipping, and industrial ones. The aim of the present study was to monitor the heavy metal pollution in three different stations at İskenderun Bay. For this purpose, two macroalgae samples (Padina pavonia (Phaeophyta) and Jania rubens (Rhodophyta) were collected, and the levels of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) were measured by AAS analysis. In P. pavonia and J. rubens samples, heavy metal concentrations decreased in the following order: Fe > Pb > Cu > Cd. When the seasonal changes of heavy metals in J. rubens and P. pavonia were examined, it was generally found out that the accumulation amounts of Fe, Cu and Pb have their higher levels in autumn and decreased towards spring. The concentrations of heavy metals were higher in J. rubens than in P. pavonia samples, collected at the same stations. According to the results of the present study, J. rubens could be proposed as a bioindicator species for the evaluation of heavy metal-loading in Eastern Mediterranean, together with P. pavonia. © by PSP

Daily variations of coastal phytoplankton assemblages in summer conditions of the northeastern Mediterranean (Bay of İskenderun)

Daily variations of coastal marine phytoplankton populations were studied over a 31-day period in the northeastern Mediterranean, Bay of İskenderun. Sampling was conducted between 21 June and 22 July 2002. In addition to phytoplankton sampling, chlorophyll a and nutrient analysis, seawater temperature and salinity measurements were done. Surface water temperature fluctuated between 25.2-30°C. Salinities were generally low and ranged from 35.4 %0 to 36.1 %0. A total of 120 phytoplankton taxa were detected during the study. Diatoms were the dominant group in terms of numerical abundance while dinoflagellates were dominant in terms of species diversity. Phytoplankton abundance varied between 10.8×102 and 112.2×102 cells l1. Temperature was one of the most important factor influencing the variations of phytoplankton and a positive significant correlation was found between temperature and phytoplankton abundance. Phytoplankton abundance and physico-chemical data showed fluctuations in this selected period. For this reason, it can be said that daily sampling provide important information on coastal phytoplankton succession and on the effects of related environmental parameters