Volatile components in crabmeats of Charybdis feriatus

The volatile components of different meats (legs with claws, body, and carapace) of a popularly consumed edible crab in Asia, Charybdis feriatus, were investigated. Samples were extracted by simultaneous steam distillation-solvent extraction and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Among 177 compounds detected, 130 were positively identified. Seventy-six compounds were previously reported in other crab species. A greater number of naphthalenes were detected in this crab compared with other crabs in the literature. Aromatic compounds, alcohols, and sulfur-containing compounds were the three predominant groups with >15 components. Carapace tissue contained a greater number of volatile components in each group, except for sulfur-containing compounds. Most of the common components in the leg meat and the body meat were found at similar levels (p > 0.05). Carapace tissue generally had the highest quantity of common components among the meats. The higher levels of volatile components present in the carapace tissue might account for its stronger flavor compared with the other meats. Furthermore, the higher number of aldehydes and lower number of sulfur-containing compounds detected in the carapace meat might contribute to its unique flavor.