Abstract: The contents of amino acids were measured in adult sea urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus in May, June, and August in 2006. It was found that the sea urchin had high total contents of amino acids（30.75% -48.52% ）, the percentages of the essential amino acids in the total amino acids contents （42.67% -52.50% ）, and the tasty amino acid levels （ 15.33% - 21.84% ）. Gly was the dominant amino acid in each specimen, followed by Glu. There were less total amino acids, essential amino acids and tasty amino acids in over maturity and late maturity in the sea urchin than those in the early period of maturity. There was higher content of tasty acids in the males than that in the females, and thus the males were more delicious. The optimum harvesting season was found to be from the early period of maturity to initial ovulation.
2009, Vol. 24 
