Amino acid composition and proximate analysis in tilapia (&lt;i&gt;Oreochromis mossambicus&lt;/i&gt;) fish from dams and rivers in Zamfara State, Nigeria

S Moses,V.O Ajibola,E.B Agbaji,C.E Gimba

doi:10.4314/jasem.v22i6.10

Abstract

Twelve pieces of Tilapia mossambicus fish samples of 28 cm average length and 52 g average weight, two from each of the six sampling locations were analyzed for Amino Acid composition using Applied Biosystems PTH Amino Acid Analyzer as described by standard methods. A proximate analysis of the fish samples was also carried out. Result showed that Glutamic acid and Aspartic acid are the most concentrated amino acid present in the fish which ranged between 11.96 to 15.14 g/100g protein and 7.69 to 9.42 g/100g protein respectively. The essential amino acid and protein composition of the fish were higher in the dams than in the rivers. The composition of the amino acid analyzed were within standard regulatory agency limits. For the proximate composition, moisture content varied between 71.05% - 77.71% while ash composition was 10.20%. The crude fat composition ranged between 8.59 – 11.67% during the dry season. The values obtained for the proximate composition where within the reported ranges with higher percentage in the case of ash. The concentration of the proximate components in the fish samples are within the reference value of FAO/WHO for Humans. Special attention is needed in monitoring gold mining activities which largely contribute to the reduction and pollution of the nutritional qualities of the fishes from the rivers.Keywords: amino acid, proximate composition, tilapia fish, water bodies

Highlights

Environmental pollution by toxic heavy metals does elicit concern in the metropolitan cities and in remote and rural communities where anthropogenic activities, such as mining, are taking place
Twelve pieces of Tilapia mossambicus fish samples of 28 cm average length and 52 g average weight, two from each of the six sampling locations were analyzed for Amino Acid composition using Applied Biosystems PTH Amino Acid Analyzer as described by standard methods
Result showed that Glutamic acid and Aspartic acid are the most concentrated amino acid present in the fish which ranged between 11.96 to 15.14 g/100g protein and 7.69 to 9.42 g/100g protein respectively

Summary

Introduction

Environmental pollution by toxic heavy metals does elicit concern in the metropolitan cities and in remote and rural communities where anthropogenic activities, such as mining, are taking place. During the processing of the ores for gold, poisonous substances such as oxides and sulphides of heavy metal pollutants are released into the environment Boamponsem et al, (2010). Limited resources and training, and the availability of cheap, but potentially hazardous methods of extraction and processing of minerals can cause significant threats to both miners and the local environment (Bitala, 2008; Armah et al, 2010) Such a scenario is being experienced in mining locations in Zamfara State. There have been several reports on acute lead (Pb) poisoning outbreak among the dwellers of some remote villages of Zamfara State, Nigeria This has been linked to the illegal mining operations by the people of remote communities (Galadima, 2012). The aim of this paper is to evaluate the amino acid composition and proximate analysis in Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) fish from major dams and rivers in Zamfara State, Nigeria

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Conclusion