Composition and nutritional qualities of edible tissues of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) from Ya Lake over different months

The edible tissue yield, proximate, fatty acid, and free amino acid composition were examined and compared among Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) samples from Ya Lake over different months. Regardless of gender, the gonadosomatic inde x (GSI) was higher in May and June than that in August and September (P < 0.05), whereas the hepatopancreas index (HSI), meat yiel d (MY), and total edible yield (TEY) were higher in August and September. For proximate composition, regardless of gender, the total lipid content in the hepato-pancreas was significantly higher in September than in other months, and the total lipid and protein content in the gonads was the highest. Furthermore, the content of EPA in female hepatopancreas was the highest in August. Regardless of sex, C16:1n7 in muscle was higher in September than in other months (P < 0.05), and the ratio of n-3/n-6 PU F A was the highest. Moreover, females had the highest glutamate and arginine content in their ovaries in August (P < 0.05). Among the muscles, both sexes contained higher levels of alanine and glutamate in September. Thus, the edible tissue yield, nutritional quality, and taste of Ya Lake E. sinensis in September were the best.