Cherax destructor (Clark, 1836) and Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens, 1868): Biochemical parameters and preliminary analysis of food quality

The breeding of Cherax spp., initially conducted in Australia, has aroused interest in Europe and Italy over the past two decades. The use of these species in aquaculture has led to the study of their nutritional properties to evaluate the commercial potential and to identify biochemical haemolymphatic parameters which may be of use when monitoring the health status of farmed animals. Moisture, ash, lipid, protein and fatty acid contents of the abdomen muscle of Cherax destructor and Cherax quadricarinatus were evaluated in this study and compared with other crustacean species. Haemolymphatic levels of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and lactate dehydrogenase were also measured. The two species did not show significant differences in nutritional or biochemical haemolymphatic parameters (except for glucose) and were found to possess good nutritional values for human consumption