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Aquatic products contain both beneficial substances such as polyunsaturated fatty acids and harmful compounds such as methylmercury, and their combined health effects should be assessed at a common end point for a rational analysis. We used a risk–benefit model to assess net IQ point gain from consumption of Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) from Jiangsu Province. Levels of methylmercury in the edible parts of the crabs ranged from 0.79 to 69.47 μg/kg (mean: 26.88 ± 15.09 μg/kg). Levels of methylmercury did not differ by sampling location. In aquaculture experiments, we simulated artificial pond farming using either iced trash fish or formulated feed. Crabs fed iced trash fish contained 28.72 ± 2.30 mg/g of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid and crabs fed formulated feed contained 19.64 ± 3.62 mg/g of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Model calculations estimated a gain of 7.52 IQ points from consumption of crabs fed formulated feed and 11.00 IQ points from consumption of crabs fed iced trash fish. They are all above the maximum theoretical IQ point gain value. Chinese mitten crab is a kind of high-quality food which is beneficial to the neural development of infants. Our findings may assist in improving crab farming methods and consumption patterns, accelerating the sustainable development of the Chinese mitten crab industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of Chinese mitten crabs for human consumption is controversial due to their uptake of heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd). We developed a formula for quantification of benefit and risk assessment (hazard quotient) for the intake of a product containing essential polyunsaturated fatty acids versus heavy metals. A total of 70 samples (2100 individuals) of crabs were collected from 6 representative basins in Jiangsu province to determine Cd levels. Cd levels ranged from 0.028 to 5.015 mg kg−1, and the levels among the basin regions were similar (p > 0.05). To determine the nutritional differences between crabs fed with iced trash fish and formulated feed, we conducted a comparative aquaculture experiment. We simulated the cultivation conditions of crabs in China and found that the nutritional content in the trash fish group (28.724 ± 2.301 mg kg−1) was significantly higher than in the formulated food group (19.278 ± 3.556 mg kg−1; p < 0.05). The differences in the hazard quotient of benefit and risk balance between these two diets were not significant (p > 0.05). The average hazard quotient of iced trash fish feed culture was 0.023 ± 0.019, compared with the formulated feed culture (0.034 ± 0.028). Formulated feed and iced trash fish produce similar results as culture food for the Chinese mitten crab. In terms of cadmium exposure risk, the appropriate daily consumption of crabs is less than eight. These data can help justify culture using formulated food and the sustainable development of the Chinese mitten crab industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of 27 antibiotics (18 sulfonamides and 9 quinolones) in 92 samples of cultured Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) from three provinces (Anhui, Jiangsu and Liaoning) was investigated. These 21 antibiotics were detected at least once in crabs from these provinces with detection frequencies of 3.70‐90.91%. Sulfonamides were detected in 53.7% of the samples at concentrations of 0.1–10 μg/kg in Jiangsu, while quinolones were detected with 90.9% of samples containing concentrations of 1–100 μg/kg in Liaoning province. Enroflxacin, ciprofloxacin, sulfaquinoxaline, sulfameter, sulfadoxine, and sulfamethoxazole were the mainly used antibiotics and enroflxacin were present at a high concentration (>100 μg/kg). Dietary assessments showed that residual antibiotics in crabs from China were far below the maximum residue limit (MRL) of total sulfonamides and quinolones, and there was almost no risk associated with crab consumption. These results will provide meaningful indications for the safety of crab consumption. • Enroflxacin and ciprofloxacin were the main types of antibiotics used in aquaculture ponds for cultured crabs. • Dietary assessment showed that EDI of all samples accounted for less than 1.6% of the ADI. • There were almost no risk associated crab consumption in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]