Comparison of Nutritional Quality of Amino Acid in Elasmobranchii Species: Thornback Ray, Raja clavata (Rajidae) and Common Stingray, Dasyatis pastinaca (Dasyatidae) with Implications to Human Health

To evaluate the nutritive quality and amino acid profiles of the muscles from two elasmobranch species, Thornback ray (Raja clavata) and Common stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca), and to assess their potential as dietary sources for human consumption, a comprehensive analysis of their amino acid composition was conducted. Employing Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), the analysis identified nineteen amino acids in the muscle tissues of both species, encompassing seven essential amino acids, two semi-essential amino acids, and ten non-essential amino acids. Glutamic acid, lysine, and aspartic acid were the most abundant amino acids in both species, while ornithine, cystine, and taurine were the least abundant. Compared to D. pastinaca, the amino acid profile of R. clavata exhibited slightly lower levels of lysine, leucine, and methionine. However, essential amino acids (ΣEAA), semi-essential amino acids (ΣSEAA), and non-essential amino acids (ΣNEAA) were statistically similar between the species (p > 0.05), except for total amino acids (ΣAA) (p < 0.05). In terms of protein quality, the amino acid score (AAS), chemical score (CS), essential amino acid index (EAAI), and biological value index (BVI) revealed that both species offer high-quality protein. Isoleucine was identified as the first limiting amino acid, followed by valine, while lysine had the highest protein score for both species. The ratios of ΣEAA/ΣAA (38.03% − 39.42%) and ΣEAA/ΣNEAA (72.63% − 76.52%) were close to the constitutional rate of essential amino acids and met the minimum recommendation of > 60% set by the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO). A 145 g portion of fillet from either species can provide the recommended average daily intake of essential amino acids for a 70 kg adult. These results suggest that both R. clavata and D. pastinaca possess high nutritional quality and are suitable as healthy dietary sources. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.