Minerals and fatty acids profile of Northwest Portuguese coast shrimps

Two shrimp species were sampled in different seasons and locations on Portuguese coast. Their fatty acid content and 28 essential, probably essential and potentially toxic/non-essential elements were quantified. A 100 g serving of shrimp muscle from the Portuguese coast provides 78 % of the recommended daily intake. Both species presented low omega-6/omega-3 ratio, 0.15 for P. serratus and 0.23 for P. varians, respectively. The quality indices presented also good values for shrimp samples, hypocholestemlemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio (HH) was 2.60 for P. serratus and 2.55 for P.varians. The index of thrombogenicity (IT) were 0.24 and 0.25 for P. serratus and P. varians, respectively and index of atherogenicity (IA) was 0.41 and 0.43 for P. serratus and P. varians, respectively. The Mg, Na, K, Ca, I, Cr, Cu and Se in shrimp samples analyzed can provide more than 5 % of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)/ Adequate Intake (AI). The best nutritional Ca/Mg ratio was found in P. serratus (1.7). Portuguese shrimp has proven to be a good dietary source of EPA, DHA and some essential elements, also Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and risk-benefit evaluation shown that there is no significant danger associated with the consumption of Portuguese shrimp.

Automated summary

The study found that shrimp from the Portuguese coast are rich in fatty acids and various essential elements, making them a high-quality dietary source. The quality indices and thrombogenicity index showed good values, and the nutritional ratios were ideal. Analysis of shrimp samples revealed that they contain a variety of beneficial elements, and consuming Portuguese shrimp does not pose significant risks.