Review of the nutritional value and health function of Antarctic Krill

Antarctic krill is one of the most abundant and successful breeding biological resources on the Earth. The health care effects of Antarctic Krill contribute to the essential fatty acids,protein,vitamins,minerals and other bioactive ingredients. The content of lipid in Antarctic krill is about 2. 11%,mainly unsaturated fatty acids; the content of protein is rich,including 8 essential amino acids needed by the human body; the content of Vitamin A and vitamin E in Antarctic krill is much more than that in other fish and shrimp. The contents of calcium,phosphorus,iron,manganese,zinc,and copper in Antarctica krill were 327. 1,913. 2,4. 7,0. 5,4. 5 and 0. 5 mg /100 g,respectively; the heavy metals,arsenic and cadmium were significantly lower than the national standard. The content of krill chitin in Antarctic krill makes up 4% of the entire dry weight,which is more than that in other fish and shellfish. Much concern from people to the high nutritional value is rising recently. Therefore,the researches on the nutritional value and health care effects of Antarctic Krill were reviewed to provide evidences for biological utilization of it.