Protein, Energy and Micronutrient of Five Different Fishes from Tiga Reservoir, Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated the proximate, mineral elements, and vitamins composition of oven-dried Schilbe mystus, Bagrus bayad, Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias anguillaris and Petrocephalus bane bane from Tiga Reservoir. The fishes were obtained from landing site of Tiga reservoir at Rano, they were beheaded, degutted and cleaned with distilled water and oven-dried to a constant weight at 105°C. Grinded form of samples were used for wet digestion and the contents were analyzed according to standard methods at the Biochemistry laboratory, University of Jos, The proximate content of the fishes varied significantly (p<0.05), with mean values of 4.79 - 9.52 g/100 g moisture content, 42.20 - 57.71 g/100 g crude protein, 0.90 - 12.51 g/100 g ash content, 3.41 - 9.93 g/100 g ether extract, 0.62 - 5.08 g/100 g crude fibre, 12.28 - 42.70 g/100 g nitrogen free extract and 90.48 - 95.21 g/100 g dry matter. Based on the FAO/WHO recommended nutrient intakes (RNIs), calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc were found in appreciable amount. The vitamin content of the fishes were above the WHO recommended limits, peak values of vitamins B1 (33.88 mg/l), B6 (15.83 mg/l), B12 (3.04 mg/l), were observed in P. bane bane alone. Whereas, C. anguillaris, O. niloticus and S. mystus contained the highest values of vitamins A (15.87 mg/l), C (1.22 mg/l) and E (4.22 mg/l) respectively. It has shown that all the fishes could be utilized as sources of protein, mineral elements and vitamins for human and animal foods.