Kerang manis (Gafrarium tumidum) from the coastal of Negeri Laha, Ambon Bay, potential as a source of minerals

Abstract

Srimariana ES, Silaban BB, Lokollo E. 2015. Kerang manis (Gafrarium tumidum) from the coastal of Negeri Laha, Ambon Bay, potential as a source of minerals. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1: 843-847. Kerang manis (Gafrarium tumidum) or bia manis, a common name by people in Maluku, is one of the mollusks which belong to Bivalve class with 3-4 cm of size. They live by immersing themselves in the sandy beaches and estuarine environments. One of the locations where kerang manis can be found abundantly is in the coastal area of Negeri Laha, the district of Ambon Bay. Many types of research related to mollusks diversity around the waters of Maluku have been carried out, however, research on its potential as a source of minerals was still scarce. The purpose of this research was to determine the potential of kerang manis (G. tumidum) as a source of minerals, especially clams collected from the coastal area of Negeri Laha. The mineral content was analyzed by of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer method (AAS). The analysis was conducted on the content of macro minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium) and micro minerals (iodine, selenium, copper). Based on this research, it could be concluded that kerang manis (G. tumidum) have the potential as a source of macro minerals with its concentration of sodium 515.83 ppm, potassium 475.56 ppm, magnesium 97.80 ppm; and a source of micro mineral with its concentration of iodine 485.09 ppm, selenium 0.201 ppm and copper 2.18 ppm.