Proximal analysis in mangrove crabs 11 T e Biologist Vol. 23, Nº1, jan - jun 2025 T e Biologist (Lima) T e Biologist (Lima), 2025, vol. 23 (1), 11-18 ORIGINAL ARTICLE / ARTÍCULO ORIGINAL PROXIMAL ANALYSIS OF MALE MANGROVE CRAB, UCIDES OCCIDENTALIS (ORTMANN, 1897) AND VALUE-ADDED ALTERNATIVES, ECUADORANÁLISIS PROXIMALES EN MACHOS DE CANGREJO ROJO, UCIDES OCCIDENTALIS (ORTMANN, 1897) Y ALTERNATIVAS DE VALOR AGREGADO, ECUADOR René Zambrano, Lourdes Saltos 2 , Renato Palacios 2 & Marlon Uquillas 2 ISSN Versión Impresa 1816-0719 ISSN Versión en línea 1994-9073 ISSN Versión CD ROM 1994-9081 Este artículo es publicado por la revista T e Biologist (Lima) de la Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemática, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Lima, Perú. Este es un artículo de acceso abierto, distribuido bajo los términos de la licencia Creative Commons Atribución 4.0 Internacional (CC BY 4.0) [https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.es] que permite el uso, distribución y reproducción en cualquier medio, siempre que la obra original sea debidamente citada de su fuente original. DOI: https://doi.org/10.62430/rtb20 252311909 o VOL. 22. N 1, ENE-JUN 2024 o VOL. 23. N 1, ENE-JUN 2025 ABSTRACT T e mangrove crab Ucides occidentalis (Ortmann, 1897) is a f sheries resource in Ecuador, regulated for catching only males, which are primarily commercialized in packages of 12 individuals. Our objective was to analyze the meat crab of U. occiden-talis cooked by two methods (boiling and steaming) and to present two alternatives of added value (nuggets: aromatic and coconut). Crabs were collected from commercial catches made on Mondragon Island, Gulf of Guayaquil. T e meat crab was extracted by hand, and the percentages of protein, fat, and ash were determined. A sensory panel evaluated consumer preference. A total of 72 male crabs were processed, ranging in size from 75 to 88 mm carapace width. Proximal analysis showed similar values for both cooking methods. Steaming: 21.8% protein, 1.73% fat, 7.24% ash, and boiling: 22.20% protein, 1.95% fat, 6.74% ash. T e participants rated the crab nuggets as “good”. T e aromatic nugget was better than the coconut nugget. Our proximal analysis of male U. occidentalis showed values higher than previously reported for the Gulf of Guayaquil (13.38% protein, 0.45% fat, 2.49% ash), but close to those reported for other crab species (16.5-24.38% protein, 0.5-2.09% fat, and 1.02-2.25% ash). It is important to consider food alternatives based on U. occidentalis and its derived products, such as chitin, proteins, related molecules (e.g., enzymes, peptides), and nanomembrane production. Keywords : Gulf of Guayaquil – meat crab – Mondragon Island – sensory prof le 1 Carrera de Tecnología Superior en Acuicultura, Instituto Superior Tecnológico Luis Arboleda Martínez – Extensión Jaramijó, frente a la playa de Balsamaragua, Jaramijó C.P. 132150, Ecuador. eddie_zam89@hotmail.com 2 Carrera de Tecnología Superior en Procesamiento de Alimentos, Instituto Superior Tecnológico Luis Arboleda Martínez – Extensión Jaramijó, frente a la playa de Balsamaragua, Jaramijó C.P. 132150, Ecuador. l.saltos@istlam.edu.ec /c.palacios@istlam.edu.ec /m.uquillas@istlam.edu.ec* Corresponding author: eddie_zam89@hotmail.com René Zambrano: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0603-7475 Lourdes Saltos: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4707-8187 Renato Palacios: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6036-0038 Marlon Uquillas: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8179-7320
Te Biologist Vol. 23, Nº1, jan - jun 2025 Zambrano et al. 12 RESUMEN El cangrejo de manglar Ucides occidentalis (Ortmann, 1897) es un recurso pesquero en Ecuador, regulado para la captura de individuos machos, los cuales se comercializan principalmente en paquetes de 12 individuos. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar la carne de cangrejo de U. occidentalis cocinada por dos métodos (inmersión y al vapor), así como, mostrar dos alternativas de valor agregado (Nuggets: aromáticos y de coco). Los cangrejos fueron recolectados de capturas comerciales realizadas en la Isla Mondragón, Golfo de Guayaquil, Ecuador. La carne del cangrejo fue extraída manualmente y se determinaron los porcentajes de proteína, grasa y cenizas. La preferencia del consumidor fue evaluada mediante un panel sensorial. Se procesaron 72 cangrejos machos, cuya talla varió entre 75 y 88 mm de ancho de carapacho. El análisis proximal mostró valores similares para ambos métodos de cocción, al vapor: 21,8% de proteínas, 1,73% de grasa y 7,24 de cenizas; inmersión: 22,20% de proteínas, 1,95% de grasa y 6,74% de cenizas. Los participantes califcaron los Nuggets de cangrejo como “buenos”. Los Nuggets aromáticos fueron mejores que los de coco. Nuestro análisis proximal en machos de U. occidentalis mostró valores superiores a los registrados anteriormente para el Golfo de Guayaquil (13,38% de proteína, 0,45% de grasa, 2,49% de ceniza), pero cercanos a los encontrados en otras especies de cangrejos (16,5-24,38% de proteína, 0,5-2,09% de grasa y 1,02-2,25% de ceniza). Es importante considerar alternativas alimentarias basadas en U. occidentalis y sus productos derivados, como la quitina, las proteínas, las moléculas relacionadas (e.g., enzimas, péptidos) y la producción de nanomembranas. Palabras clave: Golfo de Guayaquil – carne de cangrejo – isla Mondragón – perfl sensorial INTRODUCTION Te production and consumption of seafood has increased in recent decades, making it an important element of food security around the world, and crustaceans were the second group in terms of commercialization importance in 2022, with a representation of 23%. Te mangrove crab Ucides occidentalis (Ortmann, 1897) is a fshery resource for Ecuador, commercialized mainly in packages (about 12 individuals) sold to intermediaries; in addition, the crab meat is also sold and called “crab pulp” (Mendoza-Avilés et al ., 2018; Zambrano & Meiners, 2018; Zambrano, 2022). Ucides occidentalis has been used as food since pre-Columbian times, and there are now micro-enterprises processing and packaging crab meat (Silva & Segovia-Chilinga, 2018). Te processing of commercial species brings added value and benefts to the production sector, for example by increasing shelf-life, helping to maintain a high level of quality, opening new market opportunities, and providing a solution to oversupply problems (Morrissey & DeWitt, 2014). However, food acceptability depends on the consumer’s sensory perception, which is a complex issue due to diferent consumption preferences (Assogba et al ., 2021). Consumer demand is changing around the world, with consumers looking for food attributes such as convenience, taste, quality, and price (Boughanmi et al ., 2007). It is important to assess the nutritional quality, processing methods and alternatives for human consumption of aquatic species such as crabs (Galetti et al ., 2017). In this sense, the main objective of this work was to analyze the meat crab of U. occidentalis cooked by two methods as well as to know the consumption preference over two alternatives of added value. MATERIAL AND METHODS Crabs were collected from commercial catches made on Mondragon Island (79°50’, 2°36’), Gulf of Guayaquil, Ecuador, during May and July 2024. Te study area was the mangrove swamps within the concession area of the Mondragon Fishing Association (Fig. 1). Te sample consisted of adult males due to fshing regulations in Ecuador. In this sense, females cannot be fshed and the minimum legal size for males is 75 mm carapace width in accordance with the ministerial agreements #030 from July 04, 2003, and #004 from January 13, 2014, respectively (Zambrano & Meiners, 2018).
Proximal analysis in mangrove crabs 13 T e Biologist Vol. 23, Nº1, jan - jun 2025 Figure 1. Total area concessioned to the Mondragon Fishing Association, including its mangrove area, and cleared area (no forest), located in the Gulf of Guayaquil, Ecuador. Taken and modif ed from Troya-Castro & Zambrano (2023). Crabs were frozen (< 10°C), measured (CW: carapace width) and weighed (W: weight) using a plastic caliper (0.1 mm) and a digital balance (0.1 g). Data (CW vs W) were analyzed using Pearson correlation, power regression and coef cient of determination. Crab processing and proximal analysis T e crabs were cleaned and processed by two methods: boiling and steaming. In the f rst case, the crabs were immersed in water at 100 °C for 10-12 min, while in the second case the crabs were exposed to steam (105 °C) for 20-25 min. T e crabs were then exposed to cold air (7-10°C) for 15 min to avoid overcooking. Crab meat was extracted manually from the body (i.e., perion) and chelipeds. Proximal analysis was performed according to the of cial methods of analysis of AOAC International for protein (AOAC 981.10), fat (AOAC 960.39) and ash (AOAC 923.03) (Latimer, 2023).Two options of crab nuggets were considered as value-added alternatives: “aromatic” and “coconut”. In both cases, pre-cooked crab meat (using two extraction methods), salt and pepper, garlic powder, eggs, wheat f our and olive oil were used. In addition, the aromatic nuggets contained dehydrated f ne herbs (common thyme, rosemary, oregano), while the coconut nuggets contained coconut f our and dehydrated coconut. T e ingredients were mixed and homogenized for 10 min, the nuggets were formed by hand and fried in olive oil at 160°C-180°C for 2 min.Consumer preference was assessed by a sensory panel and a hedonic test (Cox, 2013; Marques et al ., 2022). T e sensory panel consisted of 24 people, 54% men and 46% women, including an equal number of regular consumers of crab meat and non-consumers. T e age range was mainly young adults (18-37 years old), and it included older adults. (Table 1). T e selection was done by opportunity method. Table 1. Percentage of people by age and gender partici-pating in crab nugget tasting panel. Age group(years)Women(%)Men(%) 18-27454628-37363138-4791548-5798
Te Biologist Vol. 23, Nº1, jan - jun 2025 Zambrano et al. 14 Participants rated the attributes of smell, color, taste, and texture as “excellent,” “good,” or “regular” for each type of crab nugget coded. In addition, participants indicated their favorite crab nugget alternative. Te attribute values were presented using a radial graph (Naqvi, 2024). Tat analysis was done by Stata software ver MP 16.0, Stata Corp, USA. Te best crab nugget was selected by the par-ticipants’ preference in percentages. Ethic aspects : Te authors point out that all national and international ethical aspects have been respected. RESULTS A total of 72 crabs were processed. Crab sizes ranged from 75 to 88 mm CW, while weights ranged from 90 to 200 g. Te relationship CW vs. W showed an acceptable correlation value ( r = 0.71), but the power was low ( r 2 0.5). Power regression showed negative allometry ( b < 3) (Fig. 2). Figure 2. Carapace width (CW) vs. weight of male Ucides occidentalis collected in Mondragon Island, Gulf of Guayaquil. Solid line: linear regression; segmented line: confdence intervals; r 2 : determination value; r : correlation value. Proximal analysis results were for steaming: 21.8% protein, 1.73% fat, 7.24 ash; boiling: 22.20% protein, 1.95% fat, 6.74% ash. Participants primarily rated the crab nuggets as “good”; in addition, the attributes were better for the aromatic crab than for the coconut, considering the scores between excellent and regular (Figure 3). Aromatic crab nuggets were selected as the favorite by most participants (75%). DISCUSSION Te mangrove crab ( U. occidentalis ) samples in this study corresponded to adult males (size at physiological sexual maturity = 61.3 mm CW) with sizes similar to those reported for 2009-2013 (83-86 mm CW) in the Gulf of Guayaquil (Zambrano & Meiners, 2018). Te determination value and correlation for the relationship CW vs. W were low compared to those reported for male U. occidentalis ( r 2 = 0.82; r = 0.91) collected in the Panamanian Pacifc (De León et al ., 2023). Te diferences due to the size sample, in Panama (230 crabs) was larger than in Ecuador, which afects the correlation value and determination (Bujang & Baharum, 2016). Te size range was wider in Panama (50-80 mm CW), it produces an allometry values diferent between localities, but the same interpretation (negative) because the data plot follows the same trend. A similar case was demonstrated by morphometric relationships in the semiterrestrial crab Cardisoma crissum Smith, 1870, in Ecuador, less data produces the same allometry values when the trend remains (Álvarez, 2022).Our proximal analysis of males U. occidentalis showed values higher than reported by De Cock et al. (2023) for some sampling sites in the Gulf of Guayaquil (13.38% protein, 0.45% fat, 2.49% ash). Te diferences could be related to the method applied. De Cock et al . (2023) worked with fresh meat, while we cooked it (by two methods).
Proximal analysis in mangrove crabs 15 Te Biologist Vol. 23, Nº1, jan - jun 2025 Compared to other crab species processed by cooking method, males U. occidentalis show a nutritional content close to the reported. Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758), Portunus sanguinolentus (Herbst, 1783), Cancer pagurus Linnaeus, 1758 , Callinectes pallidus (de Rochebrune, 1883), Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896, Cardisoma armatum (Herklots, 1851), Eriphia verrucosa (Forskål, 1775) present ranges of 16.5-24.38% protein, 0.5-2.09% fat, and 1.02-2.25% ash (Ayas & Ozogul, 2011; Maulvault et al ., 2012; Elegbede & Fashina-Bombata, 2014; Zotti et al ., 2016; Rangasamy et al ., 2024). We can assume as nutritional reference in crab species, 20% protein, 1.3% fat and 1.7% ash. However, it is necessary to consider the variations caused by the sampling site, the method of proximal analysis applied, the biological ftness and the intrinsic characteristic of the species. De Cock et al . (2023) showed diferences in the nutrient content of male U. occidentalis between two sampling sites (i.e., Churute and Salado) in the Gulf of Guayaquil. Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758) and P. sanguinolentus (Herbst, 1783) show the highest values of fat (5.33 and 6.43%), while in C. pallidus and C. armatum , the ash (13.41 and 14.96%) (Ayas & Ozogul, 2011; Elegbede & Fashina-Bombata, 2014; Rangasamy et al ., 2024). Biological aspects such as the reproductive period (December-May) and moulting (July-October) as well as seasonality could change the chemical characteristics of U. occidentalis . Tis has been demonstrated in Cancer pagurus Linnaeus, 1758. Te proximate composition showed diferences between seasons in raw meat (Maulvault et al. , 2012; Zambrano, 2016; Zambrano & Meiners, 2018).Cooking of crabs is necessary for meat extraction; the heat causes denaturing of muscle proteins (solidifcation of the meat) and breaks connective tissues with the exoskeleton. However, the method used could afect the nutritional quality (e.g., free amino acids) as reported for the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus (Miers, 1876) in China (Shi et al ., 2020). On the other hand, the method used could afect the taste of the crab meat as in the case of the spanner crab Ranina ranina (Linnaeus, 1758) or be indiferent as in the case of the swimming crab P. trituberculatus (Slattery et al., 1992; Shi et al ., 2020). Immersion methods can dissolve nutrients (e.g., proteins and minerals) and alter organoleptic qualities. Tis is avoided by the steaming method, but it requires more equipment. Both alternatives are efective for extracting crab meat from male U. occidentalis because the nutritional contend was similar. Terefore, the choice of method depends on the facilities economically, and the cost-beneft associated with the production.Te nutritional quality of U. occidentalis allows to recommend its regular consumption, considering the possible presence of heavy metals (e.g., Cr, Cd, Zn) in Figure 3 . Sensory panel qualifcation (%) of attributes of two crab nuggets.
Te Biologist Vol. 23, Nº1, jan - jun 2025 Zambrano et al. 16 the meat that do not exceed the ecotoxicological reference values (De Cock et al ., 2021, 2023). Tis species has been a source of food since pre-Columbian cultures, and currently the value chain includes many links from fshermen to consumers (Flores, 2012; Silva & Segovia-Chilinga, 2018). In our study, we considered two dietary alternatives with high ratings of taste attributes by a broad focus group (i.e., women, men, juveniles, adults).Nuggets are an easy-to-prepare food alternative with a wide variety of ingredients, including gluten-free options (da Silva & Silva, 2019). Nuggets could be industrialized by pre-cooking in olive oil not exceeding 180°C (it develops a crunchy and golden texture, low in fat), quick freezing at 3°C and vacuum packaging, minimizing the risk of microbiological contamination (e.g., Clostridium botulinum van Ermengem, 1896 and Listeria monocytogenes (E. Murray et al ., 1926) Pirie, 1940). In this case, the shelf life is six months in frozen conditions and seven days in refrigerated conditions. It is important to consider food alternatives based on U. occidentalis and products derived from it, such as chitin, proteins, related molecules (e.g., enzymes, peptides), and nanomembrane production (de Andrade et al ., 2012; Zhang et al ., 2024). Adding value to fshery resources could contribute to sustainable management and poverty alleviation in fshing communities (van de Walle et al ., 2011 Searles et al ., 2018). Red crab meat is a nutritious alternative for human consumption that can be given an added value that facilitates its preparation and meets the nutritional needs of modern society. ACKNOWLEDGMENT Te paper is from the innovation project “Production of non-traditional products based on red crab meat ( Ucides occidentalis ), for human consumption” approved by Resolution No. ISTLAM-OCS-RES.2024-115. Te authors are grateful to Mondragon fshing association for their support to the project. Author contributions: CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy)RZ = René Zambrano LS = Lourdes Saltos RP = Renato Palacios MU = Marlon Uquillas Conceptualization : RZ, LS, MU, RP Data curation : LS, MU Formal Analysis : RZ, RP Funding acquisition : RZ, LS Investigation : RZ, LS, MU, RP Methodology : RZ, LS, MU, RP Project administration : LS Resources : RP, MU Software : RZ Supervision : RZ, LS Validation : RZ, LS Visualization : RZ Writing – original draft : RZ, LS, MU, RP Writing – review & editing : RZ REFERENCIAS BIBLIOGRÁFICAS Álvarez, J. (2022). Cambios en la alometría del cangrejo azul (Cardisoma crassum) relacionados con el tamaño de muestra [Tesis de grado]. Universidad de Guayaquil.Assogba, M. F., Anihouvi, E. L., Adinsi, L., Boukary, B. S., Kpoclou, Y. E., Mahillon, J., Scippo, M. L., Hounhouigan, D. J., & Anihouvi, V. B. (2021). Sensory profling of meat and fsh products obtained by traditional grilling, smoking and smoking-drying processes. Journal of Aquatic Food Product Technology , 30 , 378–391. Ayas, D., & Ozogul, Y. (2011). Te chemical composition and meat yield of mature blue swimmer crab ( Portunus pelagicus , Linnaeus 1758) in Mersin Bay, Northeastern Mediterranean, Turkey. Advances in Food Sciences , 33 , 179–184.Boughanmi, H., Al Musalami, J., Al-Ouf, H., & Zaibet, L. (2007). Estimating consumer preferences for value-added fsh products in Oman: A conjoint analysis. Journal of Food Products Marketing , 13 , 47–68. Bujang, M. A., & Baharum, N. (2016). Sample size guideline for correlation analysis. World Journal of Social Science Research , 3 , 37. Cox, R. (2013). Consumer sensory panels. In C. R. Kerth (Ed.), Te science of meat quality (1 st ed., pp. 233–248). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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