Characteristics of bivalve mollusk Serripes groenlandicus in connection with its rational use

Greenland cockle Serripes groenlandicus is a burrow bivalve mollusk that forms dense aggregations on silty-sandy and muddy grounds at the depth 50-60 m. Its total stock in Peter the Great Bay is estimated as 8.700 t. The species is not used yet as a raw material for food industry that is a reason to investigate its safety, chemical composition and technological characteristics. There is noted that the aggregations of S. groenlandicus in Peter the Great Bay are formed mostly by large-sized individuals (> 80 %), so they have high commercial value. Its soft tissue (on average 25.8 % of total weigh) contents 11.9 % of protein, < 1.0 % of fat, and 5.4 % of carbohydrate, its energy value is 70 Kappa cal, so it is a promising raw material for low-calorie dietary products. Technological losses in mass of the clam meat in the process of broth extraction under hydrothermal treatment are rather high: 45-47 %. To prevent the mass losses, the species is recommended to use as the raw material for canned products with its natural meat.