INTERRELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PROXIMATE COMPOSITIONS AND MINERAL CONTENTS IN THE COMMON CUTTLEFISH (Sepia officinalis)

Abstract

This study assessed the proximate composition, energy value, mineral profile, and inter-component correlations of different anatomical regions (head, mantle, and bone) of the common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) using standard methods. Results revealed higher moisture (73.55%) and protein (20.33%) contents in the mantle, while the head showed greater fat (4.15%) and ash (6.55%) levels. Energy contribution was predominantly protein-based, with protein energy proportion ranging from 20.9–23.1%, while energy from fat remained below 10.3%. Carbohydrates were negligible (<0.15%) across samples. Mineral analysis indicated the bone had significantly higher levels of sodium (1.14 mg/100g), calcium (2.51 mg/100g), potassium (1.67 mg/100g), magnesium (3.68 mg/100g), and phosphorus (112,968.56 mg/100g) compared to head and mantle tissues (p<0.05). Correlation analysis revealed strong negative associations between moisture and protein, fat, and ash in both head and mantle, and positive associations between crude protein and ash (r = 1.00). Minerals such as phosphorus and magnesium showed perfect positive correlations, particularly in head tissues. These findings underscore the nutritional richness of S. officinalis and its potential for value-added utilization in functional food and nutraceutical development.