Greenshell Mussel Products: A Comprehensive Review of Sustainability, Traditional Use, and Efficacy

Abstract

GreenshellTM mussels (GSMs), Perna canaliculus, are Aotearoa/New Zealand’s most important aquaculture species and is sold as a variety of food products worldwide. GSMs are a traditional and culturally valuable food of the Māori people. Following the development of a series of nutraceutical products (dried powders and extracted oils) by the GSM aquaculture industry in the 1960s, there has been an increased scientific interest in the clinical health benefits of GSM products. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in GSMs have exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity, and the clinical evidence has led to GSM powders and oils being extensively promoted as treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. This review defines the nutritional composition of GSMs and describes the sustainability of GSMs and their traditional uses. The review also details the health benefits of GSMs in clinical applications and identifies potential mechanisms and molecular pathways initiated by the various bioactive components of GSMs.