NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION, BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS AND HEALTH-BENEFICIAL PROPERTIES OF BLACK SEA SHELLFISH

Abstract

Marine bivalves are characterized as high nutritional, easily digestible food, low calories but high in proteins. The activity of biologically active substances in shellfish from the Black Sea region is very poorly studied. A small number of publications devoted to the functional activity of tissue and/or extracts from Black Sea shellfish are found in the literature. The main scientific objective of the project is to study the quality and functional potential of three species of Black Sea bivalves: black mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), striped venus clam (Chamelea gallina) and wedge clam (Donax trunculus). Seafood nutrition data is needed to assess their contribution to nutrient intake of individuals and populations but also to the development of nutrition guidelines as well as for labelling purposes. Specific information on the nutrient content of regional foods, including seafood, is the basis of a number of food strategies and policies, and increasingly in the fields of agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture. In many cases, this data may help specialized public authorities and public organizations with regard to food quality and related costs, as well as developing adequate strategies and policies aiming to improve the nutritional literacy of the population and solve issues of malnutrition and prevention of socially significant diseases (chronic non-communicable diseases, CND) with the help of wholesome foods, such as bivalves.