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Sex-related differences in the lipid and micronutrient profile; but not the proximate composition; of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis: a pilot study with implications for sex-targeted aquaculture
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DOI：10.3389/fmars.2026.1917273.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Bivalves are a sustainable; low-carbon-footprint source of high-quality animal protein and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA); particularly the long-chain (LC) n-3 forms eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) is among the most farmed and consumed bivalves in Europe; yet the role of sex in its nutritional profile at marketed-product level is poorly documented. M. galloprovincialis shows skewed sex-biased progenies; possibly influencing product nutrient content. In this pilot study; pooled soft tissues of farmed adults purchased as human food were sex-sorted into a female (F) and a male (M) pool (60 animals each) and analyzed for proximate composition; fatty acid profile; minerals; and vitamin B12. Data were summarized as absolute and relative differences and as log2(F/M). Moisture; protein; ash; carbohydrates; and energy were nearly superimposable between sexes. In contrast; the female pool has 25.6% more total lipids and ~five-fold higher PUFA fraction; driven by an order-of-magnitude higher EPA and DHA; total n-3 fatty acids were nearly six-fold higher; the n-3/n-6 ratio was more than twice; and EPA+DHA was more than ten times higher than in the male pool. Vitamin B12; iron; selenium; and iodine were higher in the female pool; whereas sodium and zinc were higher in the male pool. These data suggest that sex-targeted aquaculture could be explored as a route to differentiated; n-3 LC-PUFA and vitamin B12-enriched mussel products; providing a quantitative basis for properly replicated; season-resolved follow-up studies; and for breeding programs aimed at strengthening the nutritional and socio-economic value of mussel farming.
Keywords:
DHA
vitamin B12
Mytilus galloprovincialis
EPA
sex-related differences
doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI) of mitochondria
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