Proximate and mineral contents in component parts of <i>Clarias gariepinus</i> and

Abstract

The distribution of proximate and minerals elements in component parts of Clarias gariepinus and Syndontis schall were studied using standard procedures. The composition of ash ranged from 5.65 to 51.35g/100g and its concentration were in the order: Flesh < Viscera < Fin < Head < Bone; the composition of lipid ranged from 8.20 to 18.70g/100g with its concentration in the order: Bone < Fin < Head < Flesh < Viscera; the composition of proteins ranged from 30.50 to71.70g/100g with the least concentration in the bone and the highest in the flesh; the carbohydrate content ranged from 2.40 to 18.05g/100g with the least recorded in the head and the highest in the viscera. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the proximate concentration of the component parts of the two species. The concentration of iron (15.05mg/kg), zinc (16.97mg/kg), copper (2.56mg/kg), and manganese (13.21mg/kg) were more in the viscera, magnesium (317.64mg/kg) were more in bone, sodium (196.78mg/kg) were more in the fin, potassium (1196.58mg/ kg) were more in the flesh, phosphorus (6419.40mg/kg) were more in the head and calcium (5208.16mg/kg) in the bone/fin. The resultant implications of these results are discussed.

Keywords: proximate composition, minerals, clarias sp, synodontis sp

Nigerian Food Journal Vol. 23 2005: 1-7