The invasive Portunus segnis, an atlantic species, was recently recorded in Tunisian waters. Since its record in the Gulf of Gabes, no studies have been carried out about the biochemical analysis of this alien species. In this context, our study aims to evaluate the fatty acid profile, lipid classes (neutral and polar), and nutritional value of breast of this invasive species. Specimens sampled from the gulf of Gabes were found to be rich in protein and oil, with significant differences between sexes. The level of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids in neutral and polar showed a significant difference between sexes. Saturated fatty acids were significantly higher in male P. segnis compared to the female. Docosahexaenoic (DHA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA), and arachidonic (ARA) were the most predominate polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in all oil classes. Oleic (C18:1) and Palmitoleic (C16:1) were the most abundant in monounsaturated. Palmitic (C16:0) and Stearic (C18:0) were the major saturated fatty acids. Consequently, the breast of P. segnis was a valuable source of high oil quality: It is rich in essential fatty acids and has an important n‐3/n‐6 ratio in both male and female blue crab. Therefore, the atherogenicity and the thrombogenicity were also evaluated, showing that P. segnis is a shellfish of greater value for human consumption in Tunisia.

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This study investigates the impact of season and sex variations on the total lipid contents and fatty acid composition of Scomber scombrus fillets from the Middle East Coast of Tunisia in order to dertermine the most favorable periods for consumption, and to see if the nutritional quality of the meat depends on the sex of the animal. The effect of fishing season induced significant changes in the lipid profile, and the highest values for total lipids were obtained in the spring for females with 13.2% and for males with 18.9%. The highest values for proteins were obtained in the summer for females with 22.0% and for males with 21.8%. Protein content variations were not significant (p > 0.05). The n-3/n-6 ratio showed a significant level, indicating a tendency toward n-3 fatty acid accumulation in mackerel fillets mainly represented by DHA, whose values were high during the study period for both sexes, except in autumun, which is the period of mackerel gonad maturation, when DHA decreased significantly (p < 0.05), reaching 23.2 and 34.0% for males and females, respectively. It was concluded that Scomber scombrus has high levels of proteins, lipids, and fatty acid contents mainly n-3 PUFA. DHA sex variations were not significant (p > 0.05). The Atherogenicity index (AI) and Thrombogenicity index (TI) were calculated. In our study the AI index was comprised between 0.3 and 0.6 for males and between 0.4 and 0.5 for females. The TI index values ranged from 0.6 to 0.8 for males, and was about 0.6 for females.

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