IntroductionShrimp is a commercially important seafood product that has an increasing exportation rate in the Turkish seafood market, contributing to the national economy. Apart from being a delicacy, crustacean species including shrimp, crab, and lobster contain amino acids, peptides, proteins, and other useful nutrients (1). Shrimp is an extremely good source of protein and is very low in fat and calories, making it a healthy food choice for consumers. In addition, shrimp flesh consists of highly unsaturated fatty acids (FAs), such as eicosapentaenoic (C20:5n-3, EPA) and docosahexaenoic (C22:6n-3, DHA) acids, which are essential in the human diet (2). Penaeid shrimp has recently gained commercial importance in İzmir due to the increased values in export sales and the tourist appeal of fish restaurants in İzmir.The jinga shrimp (Metapenaeus affinis) was brought from the Indo-West Pacific region by freighters traveling to the Mediterranean Sea. The jinga shrimp has a vital commercial value in the Indo-West Pacific, which is located between the Arabian Gulf and the Malay Archipelago (3). For the first time, specimens of M. affinis were collected from the Mediterranean Sea from the inner site of the İzmir Bay in 2008 (4). Due to their increased commercial value and a longer permitted fishing season than the native bay prawn (Melicertus kerathurus), local fishermen have begun to exploit them (5).The compositions of jinga shrimp may change depending on the diet, location, and condition (maturity stages of the female). The sex of the animal may also affect its fatty acid content. Furthermore, the proximate composition (6), FA profile, cholesterol (7), and total carotenoid contents (8) of the jinga shrimp may change seasonally.The jinga shrimp was preferred by consumers, replacing M. kerathurus (caramote prawn) in İzmir Bay due to its flavor and reasonable price. However, information regarding the chemical composition and FA content of this species is limited. The goal of this study was to compare the chemical compositions, the mineral contents, and finally the FA contents of the male and female jinga shrimps in the Mediterranean Sea.
Materials and methods
AnimalsJinga shrimps were caught by a commercial shrimpfishing vessel in the middle of İzmir Bay (Aegean coast of Turkey) during the 2012 fishing season (July). A total of 100 specimens (50 male, 50 female) were obtained equally from each size group, and all the jinga shrimps were sorted according to sex by checking the external genital organs. They were placed in polystyrene boxes and covered with ice to keep them cool on the fishing vessel. Boxes were stored at +4 °C immediately after the vessel arrived at the