Nutritional value and potential bioactivities of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas)

Abstract

Globally, Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) have a high market demand owing to their increased nutritional value. Crassostrea gigas can be a dietary source to meet the daily nutritional needs. Several studies have evaluated the nutritional value and bioactivity of C. gigas. However, a review of studies examining the nutritional value and bioactivity of C. gigas has not been previously performed. This study aimed to review the studies evaluating the nutritional value and bioactivities of C. gigas components using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The online databases Web of Science, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE and PubMed were searched to retrieve published studies on the nutritional value and bioactivity of C. gigas. Among the 37 studies obtained after filtering, the highest number of studies evaluated other bioactivities of C. gigas, followed by studies evaluating the antioxidant activity. This review examined the C. gigas components, including protein, moisture, glycogen, minerals, essential amino acids and fatty acids, which exerted beneficial effects on human health. Environmental conditions and cultivation techniques influenced the nutritional contents of C. gigas. The bioactive components of C. gigas exhibited antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and anticancer, hepatoprotective, antihypertensive, hypoglycaemic, skin whitening, skin immunomodulatory, antiwrinkle, cholesterol-lowering, antiaudiogenic seizure and probiotic activities. In conclusion, C. gigas has a high nutritional value and comprises various bioactive components. Thus, C. gigas can be a source of bioactive components and a functional food. However, most studies evaluating the bioactivity of C. gigas were performed in vitro.