Proximate Composition, Macro and Trace Mineral Compositions of Different Body Parts of <i>Macrobrachium vollenhovenii</i> from Ovia River in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The proximate and mineral composition of Macrobrachium vollenhovenii collected from Ovia River in Edo State was determined using methods of the Association of Analytical Chemists. All parameters analyzed were present in all the body parts of the prawn. The proximate composition of the whole portion was significantly (P<0.05) higher in levels of moisture and carbohydrates (9.10± 0.33 % and 62.66± 0.54%), crude protein in the flesh (41.94± 0.69% and 4.36± 0.14%) whereas fat, ash and crude fibre content (2.20± 0.05% and 0.56± 0.02%) were higher in the exoskeleton. In all minerals analyzed the whole portion was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the flesh and exoskeleton. K, Na, P, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cr were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the flesh than exoskeleton while Ca, Mg, Cl^-, Cu were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the exoskeleton than the flesh. The result showed that the whole portion, flesh and exoskeleton of M. Vollenhovenii are a good source of protein, carbohydrate, macro and trace minerals. Hence M. vollenhovenii could serve as an alternative source of high quality protein for consumption and feed formulation for animals.

Keywords: Prawn, Macrobrachium vollenhovenii, Macro and trace minerals, proximate composition, body parts.