| Popis: |
Gonad of sea urchin is considered as food delicacy in many parts of the world due to high nutrition and mineral contents. Several species of sea urchins are available in Malaysia and reported from different habitat, including seagrass beds, coastal breakwater, coral reefs and other ecologically important habitats. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the proximate and mineral composition of long spined sea urchin (Diadema setosum) roe collected from breakwater of Terengganu, Malaysia in October 2019, November 2019 and January 2020. The samples were analysed for proximate including protein, lipid, moisture, and ash content of sea urchin roe. The macro, micro minerals and heavy metals were also evaluated including Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, Co, Se, Mg, Ni, Pb, Al, and Cd. The result suggested that, long spined sea urchin (Diadema setosum) roe can be considered as good sources of food due to high percentage of protein (ranged between 36.21±0.44 and 50.14±4.63). The presence of heavy metal such as Ni, Pb, and Cd suggesting the breakwater environments were not good enough and the possible sources of heavy metals contamination in sea water environment must be stopped and eradicated. This study provides important information with regard to the proximate and mineral values of D. setosum, as well as the need for a better management of its habitat before D. setosum can be widely promoted as delicacy in this region. |
