Pre-processing YIELDS OF BLUE SWIMMING CRABS COLLECTED FROM PIFFERENT crab collection points in south east coast of INDIA

摘要

In this study, the pre-processing yields of 575 Nos. of live and dead blue swimming crabs, Portunus peiagicus (Linnaeus) collected from five major collection points viz. Mandapam, Dhanushkodi, Kottaipattinam, Vellapatti and Pennaikulam situated in Gulf of Mannar were assessed after precooking, debacking and meat picking process. Significant differences were observed in the size ranges of crabs collected from the different points (p<0.05). The average weights of live and dead crabs were 164.46±31.74gand 124.95+30.02g, respectively. The average yield of live crabs after precooking was 80.25±2.47% and that of dead crabs was 78.86±7.17%. The average yield after debacking process was 55.16±2.51% for live crabs and 53.16±1.45% for dead crabs. The average picked meat yields were 29.34±0.63% and 25.44±2.79% for live and dead crabs, respectively. Among the five collection points, crabs caught from Vellapatti gave the maximum picked meat yield of 30.46±4.17 %. The yield of different grades of crabsviz. Jumbo/ Colossal/Jumbo Lump ranged from 29.87% to 35.30%, Lump from 13.93% to 19.55%, Special from 8.48% to 12.93% and Claw meat from 36.09% to 40.43%. This study provides a base line information on the pre-processing yields of live and dead crabs, which shall enable the processors to select raw material and decision from specific crab collection point and to decide on the final yield of the product.