Seasonal variations of nutritional components in cockles (Tegillarca granosa) processed from the Southern Coast of Korea

Abstract

Cockles (Tegillarca granosa) species that found throughout the Indo-Pacific region and this study was conducted in South Korea from late autumn (November 2015) through early spring (April 2016). The proximate composition, mineral content, free amino acid, and fatty acid (FA) profiles and the nutritional quality of the cockles were studied at different stages during the processing. The contents of protein (11.7–13.9/100 g), lipids (1.1–2.5/100 g) and ash (1.6–2.7/100 g) varied significantly (p < 0.05) based on seasonal variations and processing steps. Taurine, glutamic acid, lysine and arginine were the most abundant amino acids in the amino acid profiles. All samples contained limited concentrations of Cr, Pb, Cd, As, and Co. The FA profiles showed that n-3 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) were the major fatty acids (28.7–37.0% of total FA, which was predominantly DHA and EPA (7.9–17.4%). Saturated FA (SFA) and monounsaturated FA (MUFA) levels were also observed throughout the experiment, as well as n − 3/n − 6 and PUFA/SFA ratios. The data obtained from this study may be useful to indicate the periods of the harvest season more suitable for consumption and the importance of processing chain on quality of cockle.