Sepia Officinalis Research Articles

Temperature and pCO2 effect on the bioaccumulation of radionuclides and trace elements in the eggs of the common cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis

The increasing release of CO2 by human activities leads to ocean acidification and global warming. Both those consequences (i.e., increase in seawater pCO2 and temperature) may drastically affect the physiology of marine organisms. The effects of low pH and elevated temperature on the bioaccumulation of radionuclides (241Am, 134Cs) and trace elements (60Co, 54Mn or 75Se) were studied during the embryonic development of the common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis. The lowered accumulation of essential 60Co and 54Mn with decreasing pH was larger at 16°C than at 19°C. Se was not detected in the embryo whereas it penetrated through the eggshell, suggesting that an alternative pathway ensures the supply of this essential metal for the embryo. 241Am was totally retained by the eggshell irrespective of pH and temperature. Finally, the amount of Cs found in the peri-vitelline fluid increased with decreasing pH likely because of an enhanced swelling of the cuttlefish egg under elevated CO2.

Radioisotopes Demonstrate the Contrasting Bioaccumulation Capacities of Heavy Metals in Embryonic Stages of Cephalopod Species

Cephalopods play a key role in many marine trophic food webs and also constitute alternative fishery resources in the context of the ongoing decline in finfish stocks. Most coastal cephalopod species of commercial importance migrate into shallow waters during the breeding season to lay their eggs, and are consequently subjected to coastal contamination. Eggs of common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis, European squid Loligo vulgaris, common octopus Octopus vulgaris and the sepiolid Rossia macrosoma were exposed during embryonic development to dissolved 110mAg, 109Cd, 60Co, 54Mn and 65Zn in order to determine their metal accumulation efficiencies and distribution among different egg compartments. Cuttlefish eggs, in which hard shells enclose the embryos, showed the lowest concentration factor (CF) values despite a longer duration of exposure. In contrast, octopus eggs, which are only protected by the chorionic membrane, accumulated the most metal. Uptake appears to be linked to the selective retention properties of the egg envelopes with respect to each element. The study also demonstrated that the octopus embryo accumulated 110mAg directly from the dissolved phase and also indirectly through assimilation of the contaminated yolk. These results raise questions regarding the potential contrasting vulnerability of early life stages of cephalopods to the metallic contamination of coastal waters.

The effects of season and sex on fat, fatty acids and protein contents of Sepia officinalis in the northeastern Mediterranean Sea

The effects of season and sex on the fatty acids (FAs) and proximate compositions of the mantle of the mature common cuttlefish were evaluated. The results of the proximate composition showed that the lowest lipid content was obtained from females in winter (0.74%), whereas the highest level of lipid was found in males in autumn (0.94%; p < 0.05). The protein levels of the mantle of the mature male of common cuttlefish were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those found in female specimens. The FA compositions of each sex for all seasons ranged from 29.4% to 32.5% saturated FAs, 8.7–11.1% monounsaturated FAs and 48.2–54.6% polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The proportions of n-3 PUFAs (44.0–50.6%) were higher than n-6 PUFAs (3.4–4.3%) regardless of sex and seasons. The levels of eicosapentaenoic acid in the mature common cuttlefish mantle in spring, autumn and winter were 15.9–17.8%, 16.3–17.2% and 15.7–16.8% while those of docosahexaenoic acid were 32.5–33.0%, 27.5–29.0% and 28.7–31.1%, respectively.

Proteins and Enzymes from Marine Resources

Sea products are valuable resources of natural substances such as lipids, polysaccharides, enzymes, vitamins, and proteins. In this issue, a variety of fish proteases (trypsin, alcalase, etc.) have been characterized and sometimes purified. Many of these enzymes display potentially interesting new biochemical properties for industrial applications. Their potential adequacy for biotechnological applications such as chitin extraction was demonstrated. Biochemical characteristics of crude alkaline protease extracts from the viscera of goby (Zosterisessor ophiocephalus), thornback ray (Raja clavata), and scorpionfish (Scorpaena scrofa) were studied. At least four caseinolytic proteases bands were observed in zymogram of each enzyme preparation. These proteolytic preparations were successfully used in the deproteinization of shrimp wastes for chitin extraction. Furthermore, a trypsin was purified from the pyloric ceca of Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) using chromatographic methods. The cod trypsin was successfully applied to catalyze dipeptide synthesis using series of “inverse substrates.” A Mackerel trypsin was also purified from defatted viscera by supercritical carbon dioxide, and its biochemical properties were studied. Recent biotechnological progresses require the research of new bioactive peptides from natural resources that can be used as an alternative to chemical products in various applications (food, cosmetics, drugs, etc.). Sea products proteins digestion using bacterial proteases generated protein hydrolysates displaying interesting biochemical properties and antioxidant activity. Antioxidative activities and biochemical properties of protein hydrolysates with different hydrolysis degrees, prepared from cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) using an Alcalase and Bacillus licheniformis NH1 proteases were determined. The antioxidant activities of cuttlefish protein hydrolysates increased with increasing the hydrolysis degree. Antioxidative activity was concentration dependent. Furthermore, both Alcalase and NH1 protein hydrolysates were able to retard lipid peroxidation and β-carotene-linoleic acid oxidation. In addition, cuttlefish protein hydrolysates have a high percentage of essential amino acids and could be used as supplement to poorly balanced dietary proteins. Furthermore, carbohydrate-binding lectins were also extracted from many marine resources. This issue highlights the potential of sea products as valuable resources of bioactive peptides and proteins such as hydrolytic enzymes, lectins, and antioxidants. These resources might be of great interest for industrial biotechnological processes using safe and natural materials such as peptides or enzymes. Dicer is an RNase III enzyme with two catalytic subunits, which catalyzes the cleavage of double-stranded RNA to small interfering RNAs and micro-RNAs, which are mainly involved in invasive nucleic acid defense and endogenous genes regulation. In addition, Dicer is thought to be involved in defense mechanism against foreign nucleic acids such as viruses. A paper focused on the recent progress of Dicer-related research and discussed potential RNA interference pathways in aquatic species. Dicer is abundantly expressed in embryos, indicating the importance of the protein in early embryonic development. Nabil Miled Moncef Nasri Hideki Kishimura Faouzi Ben Rebah

Risk assessment of methyl-mercury intake through cephalopods consumption in Portugal

The intake of methyl-mercury (methyl-Hg) through the consumption of three common cephalopod species, cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), squid (Loligo vulgaris) and octopus (Octopus vulgaris), in Portugal as well as the associated probability of exceeding the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) were estimated by combining methyl-Hg contamination levels in these three cephalopods with constructed consumption scenarios and with a hypothesised consumption distribution for the general Portuguese population. It was found that squid presents no serious health concern with respect to methyl-Hg, but cuttlefish and octopus consumption should not exceed two 150 g meals per week. Moreover, the methyl-Hg risk assessment for Portuguese consumers showed no risk concerning the observed cephalopods consumption levels. However, besides methyl-Hg, other toxic metals present in cephalopods, such as cadmium, may be a serious health concern and the methyl-Hg risk can be compounded by the risk of other foods containing significant methyl-Hg levels, especially long-lived sea predators. Accordingly, a cautionary note must be attached to advised maximum consumptions, which may be revised by future studies. Tail estimation (TE) estimator was more accurate for lower probabilities, rendering accurate risk estimations different from zero. However, for higher probabilities, the much simpler plug-in (PI) estimator could be applied. Additionally, limitations of a deterministic approach were identified.

Alternative Sites of Synaptic Plasticity in Two Homologous “Fan-out Fan-in” Learning and Memory Networks

To what extent are the properties of neuronal networks constrained by computational considerations? Comparative analysis of the vertical lobe (VL) system, a brain structure involved in learning and memory, in two phylogenetically close cephalopod mollusks, Octopus vulgaris and the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis, provides a surprising answer to this question. We show that in both the octopus and the cuttlefish the VL is characterized by the same simple fan-out fan-in connectivity architecture, composed of the same three neuron types. Yet, the sites of short- and long-term synaptic plasticity and neuromodulation are different. In the octopus, synaptic plasticity occurs at the fan-out glutamatergic synaptic layer, whereas in the cuttlefish plasticity is found at the fan-in cholinergic synaptic layer. Does this dramatic difference in physiology imply a difference in function? Not necessarily. We show that the physiological properties of the VL neurons, particularly the linear input-output relations of the intermediate layer neurons, allow the two different networks to perform the same computation. The convergence of different networks to the same computational capacity indicates that it is the computation, not the specific properties of the network, that is self-organized or selected for by evolutionary pressure.

Comparative Study on Biochemical Properties and Antioxidative Activity of Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) Protein Hydrolysates Produced by Alcalase and Bacillus licheniformis NH1 Proteases.

Antioxidative activities and biochemical properties of protein hydrolysates prepared from cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) using Alcalase 2.4 L and Bacillus licheniformis NH1 proteases with different degrees of hydrolysis (DH) were determined. For the biochemical properties, hydrolysis by both enzymes increased protein solubility to above 75% over a wide pH range. The antioxidant activities of cuttlefish protein hydrolysates (CPHs) increase with increasing DH. In addition, all CPHs exhibited antioxidative activity in a concentration-dependent manner. NH1-CPHs generally showed greater antioxidative activity than Alcalase protein hydrolysates (P < 0.05) as indicated by the higher 1,1-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and ferrous chelating activity. Both Alcalase and NH1 protein hydrolysates were able to retard lipid peroxidation and β-carotene-linoleic acid oxidation. Alcalase-CPH (DH = 12.5%) and NH1-CPH (DH = 15%) contained 75.36% and 80.11% protein, respectively, with histidine and arginine as the major amino acids, followed by glutamic acid/glutamine, serine, lysine, and leucine. In addition, CPHs have a high percentage of essential amino acids made up 48.85% and 50.04%. Cuttlefish muscle protein hydrolysates had a high nutritional value and could be used as supplement to poorly balanced dietary proteins.

Principles underlying chromatophore addition during maturation in the European cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis

The goal of this work was to identify some of the principles underlying chromatophore growth and development in the European cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis. One set of experiments used a regeneration model to follow the re-growth of black chromatophores for 30 days following excision of a small piece of fin tissue. A separate set of experiments tracked and analyzed the addition of new fin chromatophores during a month of normal, undisturbed growth. We also followed the development of individual chromatophores from their initial appearance to full maturation to determine whether their color type was fixed. Based on the results of these studies, we propose five guiding principles for chromatophore growth and maturation. (1) The three chromatophore cell types--black, reddish-brown and yellow--are present at different spatial frequencies in the cuttlefish fin. (2) During normal growth, new chromatophores are inserted at a higher spatial frequency than existing (control) chromatophores of the same color type. (3) In regenerating tissue, new black chromatophores are initially added at low spatial frequencies. As regeneration continues, new black chromatophores appear at increasing spatial frequencies until they are inserted at a spatial frequency higher than that observed in control tissue, similar to the way in which chromatophores were observed to be added in normally growing tissue. (4) All chromatophores first appear as pale orange cells and slowly darken into their respective color types without passing through intermediate color stages. (5) New black chromatophores undergo a doubling in size as they mature, while reddish-brown and yellow chromatophores do not grow at all after they are inserted in the dermis.

Calcium phosphate scaffold from biogenic calcium carbonate by fast ambient condition reactions

Calcium phosphate biogenic materials are biocompatible and promote bioactivity and osteoconductivity, which implies their natural affinity and tendency to bond directly to bones subsequently replacing the host bone after implantation owing to its biodegradability. Calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, CaHPO 4·2H 2O, is known to be a nucleation precursor, in aqueous solutions, for apatitic calcium phosphates and, hence, a potential starting material for bone substitutes. Numerous approaches, via hydrothermal and ambient synthetic routes, have been used to produce calcium phosphate from biogenic calcium carbonate, taking advantage of the peculiar architecture and composition of the latter. In this article, the lamellar region of the cuttlefish bone ( Sepia officinalis) was used as a framework for the organized deposition of calcium phosphate crystals, at ambient conditions via a fast procedure involving an amorphous calcium carbonate intermediate, and ending with a conversion to calcium phosphate and a fixation procedure, thereby resulting in direct conversion of biogenic calcium carbonate into calcium phosphates at ambient conditions from the scale of months to hours.

The use of background matching vs. masquerade for camouflage in cuttlefish Sepia officinalis

Cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis, commonly use their visually-guided, rapid adaptive camouflage for multiple tactics to avoid detection or recognition by predators. Two common tactics are background matching and resembling an object (masquerade) in the immediate area. This laboratory study investigated whether cuttlefish preferentially camouflage themselves to resemble a three-dimensional (3D) object in the immediate visual field (via the mechanism of masquerade/deceptive resemblance) rather than the 2D benthic substrate surrounding them (via the mechanisms of background matching or disruptive coloration). Cuttlefish were presented with a combination of benthic substrates (natural rocks or artificial checkerboard and grey printouts) and 3D objects (natural rocks or cylinders with artificial checkerboards and grey printouts glued to the outside) with visual features known to elicit each of three camouflage body pattern types (Uniform, Mottle and Disruptive). Animals were tested for a preference to show a body pattern appropriate for the 3D object or the benthic substrate. Cuttlefish responded by masquerading as the 3D object, rather than resembling the benthic substrate, only when presented with a high-contrast object on a substrate of lower contrast. Contrast is, therefore, one important cue in the cuttlefish’s preference to resemble 3D objects rather than the benthic substrate.

Food web structure of the coastal area adjacent to the Tagus estuary revealed by stable isotope analysis

The identification of energy sources, pathways and trophic linkages among organisms is crucial for the understanding of food web dynamics. Stable isotopes were used to identify the trophic level of food web components and track the incorporation of organic matter of different origins in the coastal ecosystem adjacent to the Tagus estuary. It was shown that the river Tagus is a major source of organic carbon to this system. Also, the wide difference in δ 13C among the primary consumers allowed the identification of the pelagic and the benthic energy pathways. The maximum trophic level observed was 2.4 for Sepia officinalis. This value is indicative of a short food web. It was concluded that the diet of the upper trophic level species relies directly on the lower food web levels to a considerable extent, instead of relying mostly on intermediate trophic level species. Moreover, the δ 15N values of primary consumers were very close to that of particulate organic matter, probably due to poorly known processes occurring at the basis of the food web. This lowers the trophic length of the whole food web. Reliance on benthic affinity prey was high for all upper trophic level secondary consumers.

Optimum Water Temperature for the Growth of Juvenile Common Chinese Cuttlefish,Sepiella maindroni(De Rochebrune 1884)

ABSTRACT The current study was carried out to investigate the influence of water temperature on growth and activity of the digestive enzymes pepsin, trypsin, lipase, and amylase in common Chinese cuttlefish (Sepiella maindroni de Rochebrune). Triplicate groups of S. maindroni (weight ± SD, 4.08 ± 0.26 g; mantle length, 31.37 ± 1.04 mm) were reared at different water temperatures (16°C, 20°C, 24°C, 28°C, and 32°C). S. maindroni instantaneous growth rate (IGR), feeding rate (FR), food conversion (FC), and mantle length increase (ML) were significantly affected by water temperatures. Regression relationships between water temperature and IGR = -0.026T2 + 1.359T - 12.63 (n = 15, R 2 = 0.995); FR = -0.064T2 + 3.465T - 25.69 (n = 15, R 2 = 0.971), FC = -0.069T2 + 3.55T - 25.01 (n = 15, R 2 = 0.983); and ML = -0.238T2 + 12.27T - 123.9 (n = 15, R 2 = 0.992). The optimum temperatures for IGR, FR, FC, and ML were 26.13°C, 27.07°C, 25.72°C, and 25.78°C, respectively. Survival was greatest at 24°C and 28°C (>95%), an...

Enhanced Melanin Fluorescence by Stepwise Three‐photon Excitation

The fluorescence of eumelanin (from Sepia officinalis and black human hair) was activated and enhanced by almost three orders of magnitude by exposure to near-infrared radiation. No activation or enhanced emission was observed when the samples were heated up to 100°C. The near-infrared irradiation caused obvious changes to the eumelanin and could be seen by fluorescence and bright field imaging. The area of enhanced emission appeared to originate from a region with changes in the morphology of the eumelanin's granule and increased with exposure time. At least two different components with enhanced fluorescence were activated and could be distinguished by their excitation properties. One component could be excited efficiently with wavelengths in the visible region and exhibited linear absorption dependence with respect to the laser power level. The second component could be excited efficiently using near-infrared wavelengths by a nonlinear process and exhibited a third-order dependence on the excitation. The third-order dependence is explained by a step-wise excited-state absorption process since the same third-order dependence was present when either continuous wave or femtosecond pulsed laser, with similar average-power levels, was used.

Molecular analysis of a novel FMRFamide-related peptide gene (SOFaRP2) and its expression pattern in the brain of the European cuttlefish Sepia officinalis

FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs) are among several neurotransmitters known to regulate the chromatophore function in the European cuttlefish Sepia officinalis. Here we report the cloning and sequencing of a novel S. officinalis FaRP gene (SOFaRP2). The complete 835-base pair cDNA sequence of the SOFaRP2 gene contains an open reading frame of 567 base pairs encoding 188 amino acids and four putative FaRPs, NSLFRFamide, GNLFRFamide, TIFRFamide and PHTPFRFamide. All except TIFRFamide cause chromatophore expansion when assayed in an in vitro chromatophore bioassay. To investigate the expression pattern of SOFaRP2 gene in the cuttlefish brain, in situ hybridization was performed using a full length RNA probe. The SOFaRP2 gene was expressed primarily in the posterior chromatophore, anterior chromatophore, lateral basal and optic lobes among other brain locations. The SOFaRP2 gene appears to be expressed in all brain regions involved in chromatophore regulation. These data suggests that some or all of the four FaRPs encoded by SOFaRP2 might be involved in controlling chromatophore activity in cuttlefish.

Chymotrypsin from the hepatopancreas of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) with high activity in the hydrolysis of long chain peptide substrates: Purification and biochemical characterisation

Chymotrypsin from the hepatopancreas of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) was purified to homogeneity, with a 120-fold increase in specific activity and 23% recovery. The molecular weight of the purified chymotrypsin was estimated to be 28kDa by sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The optimum pH and temperature for the chymotrypsin activity were pH 8.5 and 55°C, respectively, using succinyl-l-ala-ala-pro-l-phenylalanine-p-nitroanilide (SAAPFpNA) as a substrate. The enzyme was extremely stable in the pH range of 7.0–10.0 and highly stable up to 50°C after 1h incubation. This proteinase was strongly inhibited by chymostatin, soybean trypsin inhibitor, diisopropylfluorophosphate and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, but was not inhibited by tosyl-l-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone, N-carbobenzoxy-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone or Nα-tosyl-l-lysine chloromethyl ketone. The enzyme hydrolysed long chymotrypsin peptide substrates SAAPFpNA, SAAPLpNA and ZAALpNA and did not hydrolyse short chymotrypsin substrates. Kinetic parameters of the enzymatic reaction demonstrated that the best substrate was SAAPFpNA, with kcat 18s−1 and Km 22μM. However, the enzyme had a lower Km for SAAPLpNA, 54μM.The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the first 20 amino acids of the purified chymotrypsin was IVGGQEATIGEYPWQAALQV.

Estimating the economic impacts of maritime port development: The case of A Coruña, Spain

In recent years, we have seen an increasing number of port megaprojects in Spain (Ferrol, Gijón, Pasaia, Tenerife) justified, among other reasons, by the need for increasing storage and transport capacity, the location of container logistic centres on major shipping routes, or the need to have refuge harbours to avoid oil tanker accidents in case of bad sea conditions. The development of the megaproject for the A Coruña Outer Port in Galicia (northwest of Spain) is very controversial due to its major impacts on nearby fishing, and seafood banks affecting fishing and shellfish activities. We propose a methodology to assess these impacts on multi-species and multi-gear traditional fisheries. The analysis includes the impacts on over fifty fish and shellfish species (e.g. sand sole, European squid, spinous spider crab, common cuttlefish, European pilchard, pouting, gilthead sea bream, octopus, goose barnacle and seaweeds). Stakeholders’ knowledge (e.g. administration, professionals, fishermen) was used to assign non-spatial commercial data (landings) to the corresponding gears employed and fishing grounds affected by the port development. Our results show that the short-term economic losses are between 2.6 and 3 million Euros (2005 prices) and are mainly related to inshore fishing activities. Our results served as a frame of reference for negotiations between representatives of the A Coruña fishermen’s guild and the Port Authority.

Improvement of functional properties and antioxidant activities of cuttlefish ( Sepia officinalis) muscle proteins hydrolyzed by Bacillus mojavensis A21 proteases

Functional properties and antioxidant activities of cuttlefish ( Sepia officinalis) muscle protein hydrolysates, with different degrees of hydrolysis (DH from 7.3% to 18.8%), obtained by treatment with Bacillus mojavensis A21 alkaline proteases were investigated. Protein contents for all freeze-dried cuttlefish muscle protein hydrolysates (CMPHs) ranged from 80% to 86%. For the functional properties, hydrolysis by A21 proteases increased ( p < 0.05) protein solubility to above 78% over a wide pH range (2.0–11.0). However, the interfacial activities (emulsion activity index, emulsion stability index, foaming capacity and foaming stability) decreased with the increase of the DH. All CMPHs exhibited significant metal chelating activity and DPPH free radical-scavenging activity, and inhibited linoleic acid peroxidation. Antioxidant properties of protein hydrolysates increased with protein hydrolysis and the highest activities were obtained at DH of 16%. The IC 50 values for DPPH radical-scavenging and metal chelating activities were found to be 0.52 ± 0.01 mg/ml and 0.67 ± 0.13 mg/ml. The obtained results suggested that functional properties and antioxidant activities of cuttlefish muscle protein hydrolysates were influenced by the degree of hydrolysis. The composition of amino acids of undigested and hydrolyzed proteins was determined. CMPHs have a high percentage of essential amino acids such as arginine, lysine, histidine and leucine. They have a high nutritional value and could be used as supplement to poorly balanced dietary proteins.

Cuttlefish use visual cues to determine arm postures for camouflage

To achieve effective visual camouflage, prey organisms must combine cryptic coloration with the appropriate posture and behaviour to render them difficult to be detected or recognized. Body patterning has been studied in various taxa, yet body postures and their implementation on different backgrounds have seldom been studied experimentally. Here, we provide the first experimental evidence that cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), masters of rapid adaptive camouflage, use visual cues from adjacent visual stimuli to control arm postures. Cuttlefish were presented with a square wave stimulus (period = 0.47 cm; black and white stripes) that was angled 0°, 45° or 90° relative to the animals' horizontal body axis. Cuttlefish positioned their arms parallel, obliquely or transversely to their body axis according to the orientation of the stripes. These experimental results corroborate our field observations of cuttlefish camouflage behaviour in which flexible, precise arm posture is often tailored to match nearby objects. By relating the cuttlefishes' visual perception of backgrounds to their versatile postural behaviour, our results highlight yet another of the many flexible and adaptive anti-predator tactics adopted by cephalopods.

The Effects of Season and Sex in the Metal Levels of Mature Common Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) in Mersin Bay, Northeastern Mediterranean

The effects of sex and season on metal levels of the mantle of the common cuttlefish that was caught from Mersin Bay were evaluated. The annual range of mantle length (ML), total length (TL), and weight of common cuttlefish specimens were 110 to 183 mm, 380 to 581 mm, and 150.24 to 477.13 g, respectively. The annual range of metal levels in the mantle tissue of common cuttlefish were: 2.34 to 3.89 μg Cd g(-1), 0.30 to 0.63 μg Cr g(-1), 0.15 to 0.54 μg Pb g(-1), 2.35 to 14.90 μg Cu g(-1), 23.22 to 51.88 μg Zn g(-1), and 5.12 to 10.65 μg Fe g(-1). Cu levels of females were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those found in male throughout all the seasons while Pb levels were lower (P < 0.05) in males than females. Cr levels in the mantle tissue of cuttlefish did not change throughout the seasons. On the contrary, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Fe levels in the mantle tissue of cuttlefish changed throughout all the seasons. The highest Cd, Zn, and Fe levels were obtained in spring while the highest Cu levels were obtained in autumn. It was also found out that this species was rich in terms of metal levels, particularly, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Fe. It was found out that the mantle tissue of the common cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis, which was caught from Mersin Bay, was contaminated with Cd in all the seasons.

Seasonal Variations in Proximate and Fatty Acid Composition of Viscera of Sardinella aurita, Sarpa salpa, and Sepia officinalis from Tunisia

Seasonal variations of the proximate composition and fatty acid profiles in viscera from Sardinella aurita, Sarpa salpa, and Sepia officinalis were studied. Significant seasonal variations were observed in the amounts of moisture, lipid, protein, and ash between species. Viscera protein content undergoes large fluctuations. This tendency is different from results observed for the edible parts or for the whole body of many marine species. Ash content also showed significant differences. Lipid contents varied with seasons, in a proportionally inverse manner to water contents. Fatty acid composition showed significant differences from October to December. Interestingly, the highest total omega-3 contents were comparable to many commercial marine fish oils.