Balancing the health effect between risks of methylmercury and benefits of nutrients in consumption of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) in China.

Abstract

Aquatic products contain both beneficial substances such as polyunsaturated fatty acids and harmful compounds such as methylmercury, and their combined health effects should be assessed at a common end point for a rational analysis. We used a risk-benefit model to assess net IQ point gain from consumption of Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) from Jiangsu Province. Levels of methylmercury in the edible parts of the crabs ranged from 0.79 to 69.47 μg/kg (mean: 26.88 ± 15.09 μg/kg). Levels of methylmercury did not differ by sampling location. In aquaculture experiments, we simulated artificial pond farming using either iced trash fish or formulated feed. Crabs fed iced trash fish contained 28.72 ± 2.30 mg/g of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid and crabs fed formulated feed contained 19.64 ± 3.62 mg/g of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Model calculations estimated a gain of 7.52 IQ points from consumption of crabs fed formulated feed and 11.00 IQ points from consumption of crabs fed iced trash fish. They are all above the maximum theoretical IQ point gain value. Chinese mitten crab is a kind of high-quality food which is beneficial to the neural development of infants. Our findings may assist in improving crab farming methods and consumption patterns, accelerating the sustainable development of the Chinese mitten crab industry.