Untitled - CNR

Marine research at CNRprotein similar to that of bogues [29, 20],the samples fed bogues showed a higherprotein content than those fed mixed diet.The highest protein level was found in octopusesfed mussels followed by animalsfed bogue. But, despite the good resultsobtained from this study with the monodiets,we think nevertheless, according toother authors [31, 19], that a single foodshould only be used exceptionally for ashort period, and when there is not availabilityof other preys, since the mixed dietssatisfies the nutritional requirement of octopusesbetter than a monodiet.Regarding the lipid class composition (%of total lipid class) the results revealedthat in all samples phospholipids were thedominant class, except for octopuses fedmonodiet based on B. boops which showeda high cholesterol percentage. TAG was theleast represented class in all samples.Cholesterol level showed the highest concentrationin octopuses fed B. boops and inthose fed the mixed diet based. From a nutritionalpoint of view, the low cholesterolcontent is a favourable attribute, consideringthe current dietary recommendation toreduce the daily intake of cholesterol in thehuman diet [46]. In this work we reportthe information about the influence of diet,based on preys of low market value or discardsfrom commercial fishing which couldimprove the growth and nutritional value ofcephalopods.The biochemical composition of O. vulgarisconfirms that this species has a greatnutritional potential, also under cultureconditions and on the other hand it does notshow risks when it is kept in captivity (survivalwas 100%).Nutritional problems are an important constraintto the development of many speciescommercial culture. It is known that thecommon octopuses like a varied diet, althoughthe results obtained from this studyallow us to state that the single food(bogue) are a real possibility, during a limitedperiod of rearing or in particular situations(such as the availability of prey andtheir high costs in determined period).Naturally, a diversified diet better coversthe nutritional requirements than amonodiet. The most important step is certainlythe possibility to set up preliminarybasic aspects, referring to the productiveresponses of O. vulgaris fed in captivity,using natural single foods. A profitablelong term industrial culture of common octopusdepends on the development of asatisfactory diet for a high growth performance.In this study the better results obtainedwith B. boops diet, support the possibilitythat this species could be a validcomponent for other mixed diets to producebalanced and inexpensive formulations.Further studies on this subject appear necessaryalso to promote an optimal choice ofprey of high nutritional quality, improvingthe development of feeding techniques.5 AcknowledgementsThis work has been financed by Apulia Region(POR). We are also grateful for coordinationand collaboration in the organizationof the project to Federcoopesca andCirspe.2037