The deep-sea whelk Buccinum tenuissimum Kuroda is highly sought-after as food in East Asian countries, notably, Korea and Japan. However, it lacks official recognition as a food product in Korea. This study aimed to assess its nutritional composition and safety for the potential development of seafood products. The nutritional analysis revealed high protein (13.54-20.47 g/100 g whelk), fat (0.85-8.59 g/100 g whelk), carbohydrate (1.55-12.81 g/100 g whelk), and dietary fiber (1.25-1.95 g/100 g whelk) contents in both muscle and gut samples, with energy contents ranging from 339.11 ± 1.64 to 692.00 ± 3.21 kJ/100 g. Key minerals, including iron, potassium, calcium, and sodium, and essential fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids, were abundant, making it a potential supplementary food. Notably, heavy metal levels met the Korean standards for seafood safety. No trans fats, radioactivity concerning the radioactive isotopes 134Cs/137Cs and 131I, or pathogenic bacteria were detected. This confirms the safety and nutritional value of deep-sea whelks, suggesting their potential for developing seafood products rich in beneficial components, which could enhance nutrition and food security while contributing to economic growth.
Keywords: Buccinidae; deep-sea whelk; fatty acids; heavy metals; proximate composition; safety; seafood.