Assessment of Proximate and Mineral Composition of Dried Fish from Wholesale Markets in Tillabery Region
Boubacar Abdou Soumana *
Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety ACEMFS/Fut, Minna, Nigeria and University Boubakar Ba of Tillaberi, Niger Republic.
MAMAN MANZO Lawaly
University Boubakar Ba of Tillaberi, Niger Republic.
Abdoulkarim Issa Ibrahim
University Boubakar Ba of Tillaberi, Niger Republic.
Muhammad Muhammad Wuna
Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, P. M.B. 65, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Dried fish is an important and affordable source of high-quality protein and essential nutrients in many developing countries. This study aimed to determine the proximate and mineral composition of dried fish samples using standard AOAC methods. The results revealed low moisture content (5.9-12.5%), indicating good storage stability, and appreciable levels of protein (14.3-18.6%), lipid (4.2-7.4%), ash (2.4-5.7%) and crude fibre (0.64-1.86%). Mineral analysis showed high concentrations of potassium (237.5-382.3 mg/100 g), Phosphorous (132.7-186.7 mg/100 g) and calcium (126.9-175.9 mg/100 g) while sodium (32.6-47.7 mg/100 g) and magnesium (44.5-82.5 mg/100 g) were recorded in moderate amounts. These findings demonstrate that dried fish is nutritionally rich, with low moisture content enhancing its shelf life, and high protein and mineral values reinforcing its role as an important dietary source for food security and nutrition.
Keywords: Fish products, pre-weighed silica dish, mineral content, nutritional quality