Abstract:The nutritional components of four kinds of shell meat from different species of pearl shell in South China Sea were studied and then compared with those of Ostrea rivularis and Mytilus edulis for evaluation in nutrition .The results indicated that crude protein contents in four samples were of 78 .97 %~ 83 .64 %, 81 .38 % in average , and the score of amino acids in protein ranged from 81 to 94 , in which MET and CYS were limited amino acids .Crude fat of the samples was of 2 .68 %~ 6 . 31 %,4 .41 % in average .The average total of C20∶5(EPA)and C22∶6(DHA)in fat was 33 .70 %. Minerals in the samples were rich , particularly in Ca , P and Zn contents .As to vitamin contents in the samples , they were in general quantity .therefore , the nutritional value of pearl shell meat highly exceeded that of Mytilus edulis , but some of nutrients were superior to those of Ostrea rivularis .In conclusion , pearl shell meat can be considered to be good natural sources for healthy food production .