Nutritional quality parameters of eight commercially important bivalve species (Arca noae, Flexopecten glaber, Limaria tuberculata, Mimachlamys varia, Modiolus barbatus, Mytilus galloprovincialis, Ostrea edulis and Solen marginatus) from the Ionian Sea (Southern Italy, Mediterranean Sea), were determined. The meat yield and lipid nutritional quality indices (atherogenic index, thrombogenicity index and hypocholesterolaemic/hypercholesterolaemic fatty acid ratio) have been also evaluated. Meat yield values ranged from 31.4% in F. glaber to 44.5% in M. varia. The results showed that all species might be considered as food items with interesting dietetic properties due to high contents of proteins, minerals (Ca, K, Na, Fe, Zn, Cu), essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and to low cholesterol content. Among PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) exhibited the highest levels in M. galloprovincialis (11.74%) and in M. varia (14.41%), respectively. Elevated n-3/n-6 ratio characterized the fatty acids profile of all species ranging from 2.65 in F. glaber to 7.19 in M. galloprovincialis. The lipid nutritional quality indices showed that M. varia, M. galloprovincialis, O. edulis, S. marginatus, and L. tuberculata might have beneficial effects on the consumer’s health. This paper will be of practical value from a health perspective for populations who consume shellfish and a powerful marketing tool for farmers of the bivalves.
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