Mineral and nutritional elements in the edible salted clam Donax semistriatus Poli, 1795

Filter feeders found around Egyptian coasts could feed a billion people. Is it the time we pay more attention to these bivalves? This natural source of protein is full of essential nutrients. It can be a viable alternative to farmed meat. The proximate composition of the edible part of the salted clam Donax semistriatus revealed 25.03 % protein, 2.58 % lipid, 4.62 % carbohydrate, 67.14 % ash, and 0.63 % fibers. The mineral composition of the clam tissue showed the presence of sodium and potassium as major microelements with concentrations of 18896.76 mg/kg and 4448.02 mg/kg, respectively. Zinc (24.28 mg/kg), iron (164.25 mg/kg), phosphorus (2.6 mg/kg), and manganese (36.28 mg/kg) were detected in minor quantities while copper and cobalt were not detected in the clam tissues. Calcium content was 1.24 %. Bioaccumulation of toxic heavy metals such as lead occurred in the tissue of the clam as a result of its filtering activity. Lead had a level of 2.6 mg/kg in the salted clam tissue which exceeded the permissible limit for lead presence in shellfishes.This study approved that the salted clam Donax semistriatusis nutritive for human however; Pb levels must be monitored continuously in the future.