Chemical Composition and Analysis of Some Mineral Elements in the Cuttlefish Acanthosepion pharaonic (Ehrenberg 1831(Cephalopoda: Sepiidae) from Southern Iraqi Coastal Waters

Abstract

The Chemical composition of protein%, fats%, Total Moisture%, Total Ash weight (gm), Total organic matter (gm) and minerals of the Acanthosepion pharaonic. was analyzed. The individuals were divided into three categories which are (650-750, 1000-1900 and 2000-3000) (gm). The Sepia was separated into two parts, which are the head and mantle. The aim of the present study is to explore the possibilities for future applications in the health and food sectors. The total average Wet weight (gm) was 700±50, 1566. 7±410.9 and 2441.7±401.9 respectively. Total Dry weight (gm) was151.155±43.38, 236.807±39.9, 423.875±112.9 respectively. Total organic matter where 140.8±42.6,225.3±44.1, 396.5±131.5, and Total Protein %39.45±0.33, 39.75±0.77, 41.4±0.50, and Total Fat % 10.96±0.23,11.24±0.7, 12.36±0.23. The percentage of mercury (Hg) in 700±50(gm). the category was very high in the head, higher than in the mantle, reaching (38.9±0.046%), while it was low in the mantle 5.63± 0.011 %. The percentage of potassium (K) was lower than that of the other minerals, reaching (0.8±   0.003) %, while the remaining minerals: Fe, Zn, Pb, Mg, Na, Mn, Ca, and Cu were low percentages. Metals (Hg, Fe, Zn, Pb, Mg, Na, Mn, Ca, Cu, and K) in head, mantle and total was low in small dry weights and began to increase in medium and large weights. The results of the statistical analysis found a strong positive relationship between the protein percentages and the total dry weight of the three groups (r=0.91), while a very weak positive relationship was found between the fat percentages and the total dry weight of the three groups in different parts of the body (r=0.31).