Some metals and nutrients composition of selected sea food from Amariama River in Bonny Island, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Shrimps, Prawns and Crabs are good and edible aquatic food which is widely consumed in Nigeria, especially by the people of the Niger Delta region.

Objective: to evaluate the level of heavy metal contamination and nutrients composition in selected seafood from Amariama River in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Method: Samples of three most commonly consumed fresh shellfish from Amariama River (Shrimps, Prawns and Crabs) were purchased from local sellers along the Shore of Amariama River. Selected minerals and heavy metals content were determined using Flame photometer and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), Carbohydrate and amino acid contents were analyzed using High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) while Vitamin content was analyzed with UV Spectrophotometer.

Result: the concentrations of lead (Pb) in Prawn (0.10 ± 0.00 mg/kg) was significantly (P<0.05) low when compared to that of shrimp (0.35 ± 0.00 mg/kg).The concentrations of cadmium (Cd), sodium (Na), potassium (K), and calcium in Prawn were statistically (P<0.05) lower when compared with shrimp. Also Mannitol and Glucose concentrations in Crab were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in shrimp and prawn. Vitamin B₁₂ concentration in crab was high when compared with the vitamin B₁₂ concentrations in shrimp and prawn. The result of the amino acids content showed that lysine, arginine, leucine, glycine and alanine concentrations in shrimp were significantly higher when compared to that of prawn and crab.

Conclusion: This study showed that Cd content of crabs and prawns had no significant difference, while its level in shrimp was beyond the permissible limit. Also the result showed that sea foods are good sources of essential nutrients which are adequate for human nutrition.