Biochemical composition of the lamellibranchs Meretrix casta (Chemnitz) and Sanguinolaria diphos (Gmelin)

Abstract

The two eulamellibranch bivalves, Meretrix casta (Chemnitz) (Family: Veneridae) and Sanguinolaria diphos (Gmelin) Family: Psammobiidae) are found in vellar estuary, Porto Novo (Lat. 11 degrees 29'N and Long. 72 degrees 49'E). M. casta occurs in good quantities in the estuary while Sanguinolaria diphos is found in small numbers. At Porto Novo, both M. casta and S. diphos are taken as food, especially by the poor. To study the nutritive value, the water, protein, fat, carbohydrate and ash contents of M. casta and S. diphos have been analysed and the results obtained are presented here. Observations made on the free and bound amino acids present in the meat of these bivalve molluscs are also reported