Chemical composition and nutritional value of some marine species from the Egadi Islands

Information available on the chemical composition and nutritional value of marine species harvested from the Mediterranean Sea is very limited. In this study, the target species were Scorpaena porcus, Scorpaena scrofa, Palinurus elephas, and Sepia officinalis, selected among those with the greatest commercial value and caught using local traditional gear. Samples were analysed for moisture, ash, protein, total lipid content, and for fatty acid percentage distribution. All the species showed high amounts of proteins (mean value 18.15%) and can be considered lean (fat content<3%), with a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 series. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed among the different species for some of the most representative fatty acids. All species (except S. officinalis) had a good value for the prevention of cardiac illnesses as can be deduced from their low atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes.