SEASONAL VARIATION IN PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF GREEN MUSSEL (Perna viridis, LINN. 1758) FROM MOHESHKHALI CHANNEL, THE BAY OF BENGAL, BANGLADESH

Seasonal variation in proximate composition in immature (<40 mm in length) and mature (>40 mm) green mussel (Perna viridis) from Moheshkhali channel of the Bay of Bengal was studied for one year. The percentage values (dry weight) of protein, carbohydrate, ash and lipid in mature mussels were found to be varied from 52.73 to 70%, 11.02 to 33.24 %, 9.05 to 14.22% and 4.52 to 7.89% respectively. While the immature mussels contained 54.42-64.17%, 17.33-30.11%, and 9.59-11.55% and 5.88-6.95% protein, carbohydrate, ash and lipid respectively. However, no significant variation was noticed in proximate composition between mature and immature mussels. The mature mussels showed prominent seasonal variation than the immature ones. The higher values during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods and the lower values during the monsoon period were found for both the mature and immature mussels. Significant positive correlation between protein and lipid, protein and ash, lipid and ash and negative correlation between protein and carbohydrate, carbohydrate and lipid, carbohydrate and ash in both mature and immature mussels were found.