Determination of total Carotene and Chlorophyll contents of tellina (Donax trunculus Linnaeus, 1758) using UV spectrophotometer in Black Sea

Present study investigates monthly changes of the total carotene and chlorophyll a content of tellina (Donax trunculus Linnaeus, 1758) from Kefken territory on the Black Sea coast between 2013 and 2014. The total carotene and chlorophyll analysis was determined by UV spectrophotometer. Three different calculation methods were used for total carotenoid calculation. The methods that have been chosen are comparable with the available methods in the literature. The highest carotene amount was determined in March about 78.91 μg/g as Car2 (secondary carotene calculation method). Furthermore, the lowest carotene amount was determined in November. The highest and the lowest amount of chlorophyll-a was detected in July about 84.90±2.60 μg/g and June about 8.11±0.39 μg/g, respectively. It is possible to say that tellina can be consumed as food. In respect of the detections in this study, it can be said that tellina can be conveniently consumed between February and July depending on the territory.