Proximate composition and nutritional values of some commonly consumed fishes from the Cross River estuary

Abstract

Protein, fat, moisture, carbohydrate, ash and fibre content in the bodies of 6 fish species, Cynoglossus senegalensis, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Carasssius carassius, Hydrocynus lineatus, Citharinus macrolepis and Synodontis nigrita, were investigated. Statistical analysis using ANOVA showed significant differences in the values of the six parameters in the six fishes studied (P<0.01). In terms of percentages, Protein content was highest in C. senegalensis (75.43 ± 0.20 %) and lowest in C. macrolepsis (64.25 ± 0.01 %). Fat content was found to be highest in S. nigrita (25.10 ± 0.30 %) and lowest in C. senegalensis (19.53 ± 0.20 %), moisture content was highest in S. nigrita (23.52 ± 0.02 %) and lowest in C. senegalensis (21.08 ± 0.01 %). Carbohydrate content was found to be highest in C. macrolepis (4.38 ± 0.02) and lowest in H. lineatus (1.52 ± 0.02 %). Ash content was highest in C. macrolepis (3.75 ± 0.02 %) and lowest in C. carassius (1.20 ± 0.20 %) while fibre content was highest in H. lineatus (2.30 ± 0.10 %) and lowest in C. senegalensis (1.09 ± 0.20 %).

Key words: Proximate composition, Fishes, Calabar, Cross river estuary, Nigeria.