Soybean lecithin dietary supplementation in Octopus vulgaris formulated feeds: Growth, feed efficiency, digestibility and nutritional composition

Soybean lecithin dietary supplementation was tested on Octopus vulgaris performance in individual or grouped kept animals. Individually reared animals were fed two semi‐moist diets ( N  = 8) without (VEGENAT‐LS0) or with supplementation (VEGENAT‐LS2, substituting 20 g/kg of starch by lecithin). VEGENAT‐LS2 had higher polar and total lipid content ( p  < 0.05). Growth (1.1%–1.3%BW/day), feed intake (2.2%BW/day) and feed efficiency (48%–60%) were similar ( p  > 0.05). VEGENAT‐LS0 presented higher dry matter, protein and lipid digestibility ( p  < 0.05). VEGENAT‐LS2 increased lipids in carcass and whole animals ( p  < 0.05) but preserved lipid classes proportion. Group kept octopuses ( N  = 10) were fed a mixed natural diet (2BOGUE:1CRAB) or VEGENAT‐LS2. VEGENAT‐LS2 had lower protein but higher polar lipid content ( p  < 0.05). VEGENAT‐LS2 presented less growth (1.1% vs. 1.8%BW/day), feed intake (1.8% vs. 3.2%BW/day) and similar feed efficiency (53.5% vs. 59.9%). Dry matter and protein digestibility were similar while lipid digestibility was significantly lower in 2BOGUE:1CRAB (31.8% vs. 65.4%). VEGENAT‐LS2 digestive gland presented higher mineral and carbohydrate contents and lower triglycerides ( p  < 0.05), while a similar macronutrient composition was analysed in the carcass and whole animals. Individual or group keeping did not affect VEGENAT‐LS2 performance. In conclusion, dietary soybean lecithin supplementation did not promote a performance enhancement.