Analysis and evaluation of nutritional components in meat and skin of farmed Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus)

Nutritional components of the meat and skin of farmed Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) were determined and nutritive quality was evaluated to provide scientific theoretical directions for its further comprehensive exploitation and utilization. The contents of general nutrients, amino acid composition and mineral elements were detected. The results showed high protein content of (92.60±4.24) g/100g (dry weight) and (96.46 ±5.32) g/100g (dry weight) , low fat content with (6.24 ±1.78) g/100g (dry weight) and (4.02 ±0.62) g/100g (dry weight) respectively in the meat and skin of farmed Chinese giant salamander. There was total of 18 different amino acids in the meat, including 6 kinds of delicious amino acids (DAA) and 8 kinds of essential amino acids (EAA) for human body accounted for 42.77% , and 40.72% respectively. The ratio of essential amino acids to non-essential amino acids was 68.68%, in line with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO ) standard with no limited amino acids. According to amino acid score (AAS) and chemical score (CS) , the first limited amino acid was Tryptophan (Trp) and the second limited amino acid was Leucine (Leu) in the protein of the skin while the skin was rich in sulphur amino acids. In addition, Potassium (K) was the most predominant mineral element found in the meat and skin and the contents were (1184.96±73.84) mg/100g (dry weight) and (391.24±87.69) mg/100g (dry weight) , respectively.In trace elements, the contents of zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) were much higher.