Impact of three different processing methods on the digestibility and allergenicity of Chinese mitten crab(Eriocheir sinensis)tropomyosin

The tropomyosin(TM)fractions of crab protems may cause allergic reactions in mdividuals susceptible to allergies;however,efficient and safe methods by which to reduce such allergenicity are not currently available.Therefore,in this study,the effects of three different processing methods,i.e.,microwave,ultrasound,and high temperature-pressure(HTP)treatments,on the digestion stability of TM from Chinese mitten crab muscle and the allergenicity of TM digestion products were explored.sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis showed that microwaving had little effect on the digestion stability of TM.In contrast,ultrasound and HTP treatments facilitated the degradation of TM.Similarly,Western blotting and inhibition ELISA indicated that the IgE-binding activity of TM was significantly reduced after treatment with ultrasound or HTP.Among the three different proces sing methods,HTP was the most effective method for improving digestibility of TM and reducing immunoreactivity.This finding provides new insights into treatments for crab allergies.

Microsatellite analysis of genetic diversity and population structure of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

Chinese mitten crab （Eriocheir sinensis） has higher commercial value as food source than any other species of Eriocheir in China. To evaluate the germplasm resources and characterize the genetic diversity and population structure of the crabs in different water systems, two stocks and two farming populations were assessed with 25 polymorphic microsallite loci available in public GenBank. Basic statistics showed that the average observed heterozygosity （Ho） amongst populations ranged from 0.5789 to 0.6824. However, a remarkable presence of inbreeding and heterozygote deficiencies were observed. To analyze population structure, pairwise FST coefficients explained only -10.3% variability from the subdivision of mitten crab populations, the remaining variability stems from the subdivision within subpopulations. Although the four populations had slight differentiation, different allelic frequencies resulted in distinct population structures. Two stocks and one farming population were clustered together to the phylogenetic branch of Yangtze crab, with an approximate membership of 95%. Whereas, another farming population was clustered singly to the phylogenetic branch of the Liaohe crab, with a membership of 97.1%. The tests for individual admixture showed that Yangtze crab had probably been contaminated with individuals from other water systems. Genetic relationships between populations also supported the conclusion that Yangtze crab and Liaohe crab had different gene pools in spite of the origins of the same species.

Using Sr isotopes to trace the geographic origins of Chinese mitten crabs

Identifying the geographic origins of Chinese mitten crabs is important for food safety and fair market competition.In this study,we used strontium(Sr) isotopes as a tool to trace the geographic origins of Chinese mitten crabs.Chinese mitten crabs,water,and different types of crab feed were collected from four different lakes for Sr isotope analyses.The results showed that the Sr isotope compositions of the different parts from one single crab were consistent within error,indicating that any piece of a crab could be used to represent the Sr isotope characteristics of the whole crab.The Sr isotope compositions of Chinese mitten crabs from the same lake were consistent within the analytical error,and the values were similar to the Sr isotope composition of the water from the same lake.However,the Sr isotope compositions of water and crabs from different lakes are significantly different.Therefore,the Sr isotope compositions of Chinese mitten crabs are mainly controlled by lake water composition,while the impact of feed is limited.This study provides an effective method for tracing the geographic origins of Chinese mitten crabs.

Identification and Genetic Diversity Analysis of Chinese Mitten Crab(Eriocheir sinensis) in the Liao River Area

Chinese mitten crab （Eriocheir sinensis） is an indigenous and ecologically and economically important species in the Liao River area, but its identification and genetic diversity remain poorly understood. To evaluate the germplasm resources of this species, samples were collected from these locations： four sub-populations from the Liao River area and one population from the Yangtze River area; one primer was used to distinguish between the Liao River and the Yangtze River crabs. Thirteen loci were used for crab genetic diversity analysis, and basic statistics showed that the collecting samples were purebred in the Liao River area. The average observed heterozygosity （H0） of the Liao River population was 0.5931, and the expected heterozygosity （He） was 0.8064. The polymorphism information content （PIC） was 0.7753, which showed that the Liao River population had high genetic diversity. The genetic differentiation index （FST） averaged 0.0342, meaning a low degree of differentiation; cluster analysis indicated that Hujia （HJ）, Xinli （XL） and Chenjia （CJ） sub-populations were allocated to the same cluster, while Baqiangzi （BQZ） sub-population was isolated. In summary, these data demonstrated that the crabs in the Liao River had high genetic diversity, but low genetic differentiation. Thus, the Liao River population had the potential for breeding selection. Furthermore, this study also provided valuable genetic information for the conservation of Chinese mitten crab.

An Experimental Study on the Gait Patterns and Kinematics of Chinese Mitten Crabs

Despite the many studies on eight-legged animals and the importance of their mechanics of terrestrial locomotion, the mechanical energy of crabs in voluntary locomotion on uneven, unpredictable terrain surfaces has received little attention thus far. In this paper, motion video images of Chinese mitten crab （Eriocheir sinensis Milne-Edwards） locomotion on five types of terrains were recorded using a high-speed three-dimensional （3D） recording video system. The typical variables of locomotion such as gait patterns, duty factor, mechanical energy of the mass center, mass-specific write of the total mechanical power of the mass center, and percentage recovery, were analyzed. Results show that the Chinese mitten crab uses random gaits instead of the alternating tetrapod gait with the increasing terrain roughness. The duty factors of the rows of the leading legs are greater for all terrains than those of the rows of the trailing legs. On smooth terrain, the duty factors of the rows of the trailing legs are greater than that on rough terrains. Kinematic measurements and calculations reveal that similar to mammals, birds, and arthropods, the Chinese mitten crab uses two fundamental gaits to save mechanical energy： the inverted pendulum gait and the bouncing gait. The bouncing gait is the main pattern of mechanical energy conservation. The low probability of injury and energy expenditure due to adaptations to various terrains induce the Chinese mitten crab to modify the mass-specific rate of the total mechanical power of the mass center. The statistical results of percentage recovery also reveal that the Chinese mitten crab has lower energy recovery efficiency over rough terrains compared with smooth terrains.

Effects of fermented protein feed on the growth performance of pond-raised crab

This study aimed to elucidate the effect of a pellet feed containing fermented proteins on pond-raised Chinese mitten crabs,Eriocheir sinensis in a 7-month crab feeding experiment in Gucheng Lake,Jiangsu province,China.The results showed that fermented protein could significantly increase mean weight gain,crab size and total yield compared with control group.Moreover,the mean weight of male crabs and the number of large-sized male crabs improved over those of the control group.However,feed efficiency ratio did not differ significantly between the two groups.The amino acid content in the muscles of the female crabs of both the groups was higher than that in the muscles of the male crabs.The present study suggests that fermented compound protein may be one kind of potential protein sources for E.sinensis.