| Abstract: | High lethality of white hepatopancreas syndrome has caused large economic loss of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis). Hepatopancreas colour of diseased crabs is gradually lighter, turning from golden yellow to yellow‐white to white. This study investigated composition of conventional nutrients in three edible parts of different coloured hepatopancreases of adult males, including normal yellow hepatopancreas group (Control), yellow‐white hepatopancreas group (YWH) and white hepatopancreas group (WH). No significant differences were observed in tissue indices and total edible yield among three crab types; however, condition factor level in crabs of YWH and WH was significantly lower. Dry matter content was significantly reduced in crabs of WH, especially crude fat level of hepatopancreas in WH males. Levels of all the amino acids of WH crabs in muscles and gonads were significantly lower than that of control. Proportion of saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids were much lower in hepatopancreas of WH crabs than those of control, while proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids and highly unsaturated fatty acids were significantly higher. Overall, YWH and WH do not affect growth. WH crabs showed poor nutritional quality, and nutritional value of YWH was in the middle as transition state between control and WH. |
