Changes in enzymatic activity and nutritional reserves of cultured paralarvae of Octopus vulgaris associated with the type of food

In this study, changes associated with the type of food in enzymatic activity and nutrient reserve contents during the first 27 days post-hatching of cultured paralarvae of the common octopus Octopus vulgaris were evaluated. The specific activities of lipases, acid and alkaline protease, along with glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and soluble protein concentrations, were evaluated every 3 days after hatching (DAH) in paralarvae, which were fed two types of diets: Artemia alone and the combination of Artemia with a microparticulate diet (AMD) formulated from freeze-dried squid muscle and crab meat. The results show peaks of activity of the evaluated enzymes at 6 and 24 DAH, with significantly higher values in paralarvae fed the combination of Artemia and microparticulate diet. In general, higher nutritional reserves were observed in paralarvae fed with AMD, especially in the soluble protein content at 3 and 18 DAH. The results obtained show that changes in digestive activity and nutritional reserves may be associated with the type of food and the maturation process of the digestive system, as has been demonstrated in paralarvae of this octopus species, and provide useful information for the development of specific diets during this phase of development.