PROXIMATE AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF SELECTED FRESHWATER FISHES FROM MOBIL FISH MARKET IN MINNA, NIGER STATE

Abstract

Samples of three species of fresh water fishes (about 500g) namcly Tilapia zilli, Claras anguillaris and Lates niloticus were sourced from Mobil fish markct in Minna Niger State, to determine their proximate and mineral composition using standard procedures on dry weighr hasis. The restults indicated no significant diference (P 0.05) in percetages of proximate comppsition among the fishes sampled. Moisture content in fish samples was ranged from 75.55 to 77.20 ±0.76%, while lipid contents were between 2.22 - 4.14± 0.48% Ash contents were howeer in the range of 1.26 to 2.27±0.35% while crude protein contents were in the range of 14.13 to 16.14±0.679%. Potassium showed no significant difference (P<0.05) among the fishes sampled, but there was significant difference (P<0.05) in Sodium (0.15 -0.3220.45%). Calcium (0.57 - 0.74±0.18%), Magnesium (0.67 -0.89±0.12%). among three fish species. The values obiained were within the recommended range of World Health Organization (WHO). Therefore, the freshwater fish species inestigated have high nutritive value: as such their utilization will, ussist in solving healıh and nutritional problems.