The Nutritional Value of Heterotis niloticus ‘Ecomog Fish’ under Fresh, Smoked and Sun-dried Conditions in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The nutritional value (ash, moisture, fibre, protein, fat and carbohydrate) of three preservative states: fresh, smoked and sun-dried of Heterotis niloticus (Ecomog fish) in Cross River State, Nigeria was investigated, using the standard A. O. A. C (2005) methods. A total of nine matured size (3 – 4kg body weight) fishes were obtained from artisanal fishermen in Idundu (Great Kwa River). The fishes were divided into three groups; each group represented a treatment (preservative state). Samples were treated and laboratory studies carried out separately, before achieving proximate composition for each replicate. The results showed that, fresh H. niloticus gave the highest mean protein content (9.58±0.02%), mean moisture content (84.83±0.01g) and mean ash content (10.74±0.19%); smoked H. niloticus gave the highest mean fat content (17.53±0.04%) and mean fibre content (0.15±0.02%), while the sun-dried H. niloticus showed the highest value in mean carbohydrate content (76.60±0.01%). Although fresh H. niloticus is highly recommended for human consumption, in respect to our results; we may therefore conclude that these local sources of proteins are important not only in aiding to reduce high incidence of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) among the lower socio-economic populace, but also as energy food source.