CHERAX DESTRUCTOR (CLARK, 1836) AND CHERAX QUADRICARINATUS (VON MARTENS, 1868): SAFETY AND NUTRITIONAL QUALITY- Premio "YOUNG INVESTIGATOR AWARD"

Abstract

Two species of freshwater Parastacidae (Cherax quadricarinatus and Cherax destructor) are used for breeding in several country and to date also in Italy in one aquaculture plant located near Catania (Sicily). Although they are Australian, they seem to have some of the peculiar properties that make it important, strategic and highly appreciated species for aquaculture facilities in Italy. In fact, they mature early, have multiple reproductive cycles in a year, females can lay over a thousand eggs in a single brood and seem to tolerate wide ranges of temperature (Haubrock et al., 2021). Several authors have studied the Cherax genus from different points of view: diseases, moulting phases and the immune responses under stress conditions (Mac Loughlin et al., 2016; Sacristán et al., 2016; Foysal et al., 2020). To date, even if it is known the economic value of these species, the nutritional properties for human were not yet evaluated. The economic expenses behind the maintenance of an aquaculture facilities must certainly be justified by: i) maintenance of species that can guarantee a competitive product on the market; ii) their good nutritional levels as well as for the organoleptic characteristics. Our study, conducted as part of a project “POFEAMP 02/INA/17’ (02/INA/17, PO-FEAMP 2014-2020”, represents for the first time a preliminary evaluation of some macronutrient parameters important to know the nutritional properties of these animals. For this reason, some parameters, as the level of total protein, cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose and lactate dehydrogenase in two Cherax species, Cherax quadricarinatus and Cherax destructor were evaluated in haemolymph and in muscle tissue. These results can be useful both for evaluating the good health of these animals kept in aquaculture facilities and for evaluating better their nutritional properties. In the future, these Cherax species could increase their consumption and allow their greater presence in dietary habits.