Morphological characteristics and nutritive value of wild and cultured bigfin reef squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the morphological characteristics and nutritive values of wild and laboratory-grown bigfin reef squids (Sepioteuthis lessoniana). Seven morphometric parameters of overall twenty indices (total length, dorsal mantle length, ventral mantle length, fin length, gladius length, rancis length, and arm I length) differ significantly between wild and cultured squids (P < 0.05). The body crude lipid was higher in wild squids than in cultured squids, whereas the opposite was found for ash content. Significantly improved polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), n-3, n-6, PUFA/saturated fatty acids (SFA), and unsaturated fatty acids/SFA were found in cultured squids. The nutritional indices for assessing fatty acid quality indicate superior health promoting characteristics for cultured squids over the wild squids. The contents of P, Mg, Zn, and Fe were significantly higher in wild group and vice versa for K, Na, Ca, S, Cu, and B. Improved mantle protein concentration was observed in cultured squids whereas protein synthesis capacity was significantly decreased. The key differences for discriminating the origins of bigfin reef squid were based on fatty acids (oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid) and elemental (S, Fe, and Cu) profiles. The results from the current study support aquaculture production of bigfin reef squids, and also provide information for consumer decisions related to the nutritional effects on human health.