Proximate Composition of Fish Sold Across Kaduna Metropolis of Nigeria

Abstract

Fish protein stands out from other protein sources due to its elevated cysteine levels, providing important nutrients to consumers because of its rich essential amino acids so there is great need to access the nutritional qualities of fish commonly consumed as food in Kaduna. This study assessed the proximate composition of Clarias gariepinus, Oreochromis niloticus, Pellonula afzeliusi, and Cyprinus caprio species sold in Kaduna, Nigeria in order to access the fish species with the highest nutritional qualities to be used as food or animal feed, this was achieved by using procedures of Association of Official Agricultural Chemists, Significant variations in the proximate composition were observed among the fish species. Oreochromis niloticus had the highest protein content while Pellonula afzeliusi exhibited the highest lipid content. Clarias gariepinus displayed the highest ash content and Cyprinus caprio showed the highest NFE content. Pellonula afzeliusi had the lowest crude fiber content and Oreochromis niloticus had the highest moisture content. These discoveries improve our comprehension of the nutritional characteristics of the fish species under investigation. Evaluating the immediate composition is vital to guarantee the safety and excellence of fish for consumption, as it enables the detection of any deterioration or nutrient depletion that might have taken place during transportation or storage.