Investigation of chemical composition, biological value and safety of walleye pollock <i>Theragra chalcogramma</i> from Peter the Great Bay

Abstract

Data on chemical composition, biological value and safety are presented for muscle tissue and internal organs of walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma caught in Peter the Great Bay (Japan Sea). The meat of рollock in any biological state has high protein content (15.5-16.8 %), low fat content (0.5-0.6 %), and low energy value (66-72 kcal./kg). The viscera of feeding pollock have in 25.0 % higher content of fat and in 3.5 % lower content of protein in compare with the spawning fish. Proteins in the pollock meat have more essential amino acids than a reference FAO/WHO protein and contain biologically active taurine and anserine, as well; the content of proteinogenic amino acids, taurine and anserine does not change in the process of storage. Lipids of the pollock viscera contain 37 % of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and 67.0 % of them are DHA (22:5) and EPA (20:50); content of these fatty acids in the lipids of pollock meat is even higher: 50 % and 86 %, respectively. The pollock caught at the coast of Primorye is safe by content of toxic elements and pesticides in its muscle tissue and internal organs.