Assessment of seasonal and spatial variations in the nutritional content of six edible marine bivalve species by the response of a set of integrated biomarkers

Bivalves are widely distributed through diverse habitats, including estuaries and coastal lagoons which extremely productive ecosystems, play important roles in trophic webs ecosystems’ biological processes. Bivalves, as well other marine resources, have been a part of the humans’ diet since mankind started fishing. These resources high nutritional values, being constituted by protein low fat contents, its consumption is associated with several health benefits. Marine like bivalves, that highly appreciated humans, represent an economic value, under pressure due to increasing demand. Thus, it sustainable balanced exploitation these based on knowledge biochemical composition aquatic species comprehend its’ potential value. The present study was conducted Portugal, country has one highest consumptions seafood world. Six commercially valuable bivalves were harvested two distinct areas, Mondego estuary Ria Formosa lagoon, seasons, winter 2016 summer 2017. aims to: 1) determine each terms total content, fatty acid carbohydrate profiles; 2) identify spatial seasonal variations between bivalve sampled area season; 3) assess feeding behaviour both seasons areas. results indicated among species, major component, followed particularly essential acids DHA EPA, glycogen glucose main polysaccharide monosaccharide, respectively, found all specimens. In general, demonstrated tendency for omnivory, only S. marginatus presenting clear herbivorous summer. Despite M. galloprovincialis R. decussatus showed value estuary, more noticeable winter. Formosa, C. edule nutritious while gigas higher nutritive