Seasonal variation in the biochemical composition,condition index,and meat yield of the non-indigenous pearl oyster Pinctada imbricata radiata(Leach,1814)from the West of the Aegean Sea,Greece

The average values of the seasonal flesh biochemical composition(%)of the pearl oyster Pinctada imbricata radiata originated form 2 sampling sites,the gulfs of Evoikos(E)and Saronikos(S)in the Western Aegean Sea,showed that is rich in proteins(64.00±1.86-(E),64.67±2.95-(S))with low fat content(10.96±1.04-(E),11.86±1.13-(S))and carbohydrates(13.29±2.48-(E),9.94±4.32(S)).The condition index ranged from 26.16%±5.04 in the autumn in(E),to 44.73%±7.50 in the summer in(S).The meat yield varied from 20.49%±3.20%in the summer in(E)to 30.73%±3.47%in the summer in(S).Both results demonstrate the high nutritional profile of the pearl oyster,supporting its suitability as a potential new Mediterranean seafood source for human consumption.