Effect of mollusks as diets on mud crab Scylla paramamosain：Growth performance and muscle quality

The mud crab Scylla paramamosain is the largest marine-cultured crab in China, with prolific meat yield, unique flavor, and high nutritional content. The prevailing negative perceptions among farmers regarding the adaptability of mud crab to pelletized feeds have resulted in a continued reliance on natural diet. However, little is known about the effects on growth and muscle quality of mud crab fed natural diets. This study investigated the growth performance, textural properties and flavor indicators in muscle of Scylla paramamosain fed five commonly available low-value mollusks, such as Potamocorbula amurensis, Corbicula fluminea, Perna viridis, Oncomelania hupensis, and Cipangopaludina chinensis . After a 60-day trial, Scylla paramamosain fed Potamocorbula amurensis had the highest growth performance compared to those consuming other mollusks, particularly specific growth rate, and protein efficiency ratio. Texture analysis indicated that mud crab fed Potamocorbula amurensis enhanced the hardness, chewiness, and gumminess in muscle. Additionally, flavor profiling revealed significantly elevated umami and sweet levels in muscle of mud crab fed Potamocorbula amurensis . Collectively, these findings not only confirmed that Potamocorbula amurensis was a suitable natural diet for mud crab Scylla paramamosain , promoting both growth performance and muscle quality, but also provided a foundation for future explorations into the development of formulated diet in economically important crustacean species. • Potamocorbula amurensis increases growth performance of Scylla paramamosain. • Potamocorbula amurensis promotes textural properties in muscle. • Potamocorbula amurensis enhances umami and sweet levels in muscle • Potamocorbula amurensis is a suitable natural diet for Scylla paramamosain.