Trace and Heavy Metal Accumulation in Squilla (Oratosquilla nepa) off Saurashtra Coast

Abstract

Information on the concentration of trace metals in stomatopod crustaceans is scarce. In the present investigation, an attempt was made to determine the proximate composition, mineral and heavy metal content of stomatopod Oratosquilla nepa (squilla) off Saurashtra coast. The moisture, crude protein, total lipid and total ash contents of squilla were 81, 10.15, 0.6 and 5.1%, respectively. Potassium, sodium and iron content in squilla were 86.09, 76.45 mg% and 42.03 ppm, respectively. Comparison of trace and heavy metal residue accumulation in squilla weighing 5-8 and 8–12 g were compared for gut, exoskeleton and edible meat portion. Significant difference (p<0.05) was observed between the two size groups in the accumulation of copper and nickel contents in gut. No significant variation was observed in exoskeleton between the two size groups. Higher level of cadmium (1.94 ppm) was observed in the gut of squilla, however other heavy metals like mercury and lead and trace metals like cobalt were below the detectable limit.