Variacion mensual de la composicion quimica del mejillon Perna perna (L.) cultivado y las condiciones ambientales en la Bahia El Guamache, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela

Abstract

Monthly variations in the chemical composition of the mussel (Perna perna) cultivated and the environment factors were studied in the Guamache Bay (Margarita Island, Venezuela). The study was carried out on mussels of 65-70 mm shell lenght and on a size that was monthly increased in 5 mm from 40-45 mm to 100-105 mm. The weight of meat ranged from 8,05 to 10,87 g, the weight of shell from 8,88 to 11,00 g and weight of the intervalve water from 2,64 to 6,83 g. In both experiences the water fluctuated between 72,2 and 86,7% ashes from 2,25 to 3,58% and proteins between 9,10 and 16,05% . The influence of the meteorological conditions on temperature and salinity was analized. The percentage of oxygen saturation was always over 80%. The primary nutrients registered low values only the ammonia mean, reached 2,43 µg-at/L Chlorophyll "a" fluctuated between 0,25 and 4,50 µg/L. The results showed that the variations in the chemical composition of mussels was independent of the size and they would be caused by the environment conditions.