Cephalopods as Challenging and Promising Blue Foods: Structure, Taste, and Culinary Highlights and Applications

Ecotoxicology of cephalopod early life phases: review and perspectives

The present review provides the first analysis and synthesis of the available scientific information on the effects of anthropogenic contaminants on cephalopod embryos, paralarvae, and juveniles. We evaluated 46 articles published between 1970 and 2023 that focused on trace elements (69%), pharmaceutical compounds (11%), persistent organic compounds (11%), and plastics (9%). To date, the greatest scientific effort has originated from Europe and Asia (France [57%], China [9%], Italy [7%], and Spain [4%]), with few reports available from the rest of the world. Most studies focused on species of economic importance (cuttlefish [69%], octopuses [18%], and squid [13%]), with few reports on species of low commercial value or that reside in remote habitats such as nautiluses. Although 28 contaminants have been evaluated, cadmium, copper, zinc, fluoxetine (FLX), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organophosphorus compounds, and tributyltin (TBT) were the only contaminants associated with adverse effects on various biological, physiological, and ethological processes during early life phases. Despite these advances, the present review demonstrates the crucial need for ecotoxicology studies that focus on (i) embryotoxicology and the interactions among toxic agents during the early stages of cephalopod development, (ii) survival and recruitment, and (iii) species that inhabit coastal and oceanic environments that have not yet been the focus of previous studies, especially those in countries with few published records. With this information, critical areas can be identified, marine biodiversity monitoring programs can be developed, and effective conservation strategies can be created that include measures to mitigate marine pollution.

Investigating the nutritional viability of marine-derived protein for sustainable future development

Marine-derived proteins are emerging as a pivotal resource with diverse applications in food, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnological industries. The marine environment offers many protein sources, including fish, shellfish, algae, and microbes, which garnered attention due to their nutritional composition. Evaluating their protein and amino acid profiles is essential in assessing their viability as substitutes for conventional protein sources. Continuously exploiting marine ecosystems for protein extraction has led to significant environmental impacts. The optimization of aquacultural practices and implementation of innovative practices are imperative for the sustainable production of marine-based protein. This review will discuss the different sources of marine proteins, their nutritional profile, and their associated environmental impact. It also reviews the relationship between aquaculture advancements and regulatory frameworks toward attaining sustainable practices, alongside exploring the challenges and potentials in utilizing marine sources for protein production.

Nutraceutical and Medicinal Importance of Marine Molluscs

Marine molluscs are of enormous scientific interest due to their astonishing diversity in terms of their size, shape, habitat, behaviour, and ecological roles. The phylum Mollusca is the second most common animal phylum, with 100,000 to 200,000 species, and marine molluscs are among the most notable class of marine organisms. This work aimed to show the importance of marine molluscs as a potential source of nutraceuticals as well as natural medicinal drugs. In this review, the main classes of marine molluscs, their chemical ecology, and the different techniques used for the extraction of bioactive compounds have been presented. We pointed out their nutraceutical importance such as their proteins, peptides, polysaccharides, lipids, polyphenolic compounds pigments, marine enzymes, minerals, and vitamins. Their pharmacological activities include antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities. Moreover, certain molluscs like abalones and mussels contain unique compounds with potential medicinal applications, ranging from wound healing to anti-cancer effects. Understanding the nutritional and therapeutic value of marine molluscs highlights their significance in both pharmaceutical and dietary realms, paving the way for further research and utilization in human health.