Nutritional evaluation of two strains of Chinese soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis

The present study evaluates the nutraceutical composition of muscle and calipash of Yangtze and Japanese strains of Chinese soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis. In general, both strains possessed high protein content (16.62–22.18 g 100 g−1 wet weight) and negligible fat content (0.22−0.95 g 100 g−1 wet weight). The ratios of total essential amino acids to total amino acids and to total nonessential amino acids in muscle of two strains were about 40 % and 84 %, while the ratios in calipash were about 20 % and 29 %, respectively. Both the values of amino acid scores and in vitro digestible indispensable amino acid scores in muscle of two strains were in the range of good protein. The unsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids ratios and n-3/n-6 ratios of two strains were 1.04−2.08 and 1:3.78−1:1.11, respectively. We also found that the atherogenicity index, thrombogenicity index and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolenic fatty acid values in muscle varied between 0.35−0.44, 0.41−0.46 and 2.16–2.80, respectively, while in calipash were 0.62−0.72, 1.02–1.23 and 1.26−1.56. Taken cumulatively, these results indicate that consumption of muscle of Yangtze and Japanese strains of P. sinensis is favorable to human health, while moderation needs to be exercised for the calipash consumption.