Biochemical Composition and Preliminary Qualitative Analysis of Marine ClamGafrarium divaricatum (Gmelin) From Mumbai, West Coast of India

The present work investigates the potential use of the whole tissue of clam Gafrarium divaricatum (Gmelin) as a food source in a coastal region of India. In order to evaluate its food value, a detailed biochemical analysis of the whole tissue has been carried out. The results of biochemical analysis show very high protein content (26.32%), Carbohydrate (11.23%) and lipid (1.29%). The protein consists of 10 essential and 9 non essential amino acids which are as follows (Lysine 14.36%, Histidine 9.02, Methionine 8.92 %) and (Alanine 5.94%, Aspartic acid 4.98, Asparagine 3.79, Tyrosine 3.52 and Proline 3.21%) are the predominant essential amino and non essential amino acids. G. divaricatum consists of 6 different fatty acids out of which 2 are saturated fatty acids (SFA), one monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and three polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). SFA, MUFA and PUFA content was 27.18, 11.02, 12.47, 17.96, 11.38 and 11.38% respectively in fat (1.29 gm/100gm). In addition it contains Vitamins such as Vitamin A (112.3 IU), Vitamin C (24.11 mg/g), D (13.96 IU), B12 (1.98μg/g.), E (1.14 mg/g), K (0.59 mg/g) and B6 (0.31mg/g). Mineral composition of whole tissue showed presence of Calcium 312.74 mg/g, Sodium 89.93mg/g, Magnesium 61.11 mg/g, Potassium 21.38 mg/g as major and Copper 1.43, iron 1.37 and zinc 0.38 mg/g as minor quantity. The test for secondary metabolites shows the presence of alkaloids, phenolics, terpenes, carotenoids and steroids. This shows that the clam species is a good alternative food source to fish and can be very well exploited after its toxicity evaluation. The presence of secondary metabolites will have some medicinal values like hepatoprotective activity and anti oxidant activity which is currently under investigation.