Proximate composition analysis of trash fish from the selected landing sites of Jaffna district, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Marine coastal fishery often yields a considerable portion of the non-target species and by-catch as trash fish in total catch. Generally, it consists of edible and inedible fish species, which are unacceptable for human consumption usually discarded as waste. However, it has significant potential to use as animal feed. The current study was intended to determine the proximate composition of abundant trash fish in selected landing sites of Jaffna peninsula from November 2018 to March 2019. Crude protein, fat, ash and moisture content were analyzed in trash fish samples. Eight dominant trash fish species such as Trichiurus lepturus, Carangoides talamparoides, Arius caelatus, Hilsa kelee, Pellona ditchela, Dussumieria acuta, Aurigequula fasciata, and Leiognathus splendens were subjected to proximate analysis. Among the selected trash fish species Carangoides talamparoides has highest protein value (18.68%), Hilsa kelee consisted highest fat content (12.62%), Ash value (2.33%) is highest in Aurigequula fasciata and moisture content (80.32%) was high in Arius caelatus. The present study revealed the rich nutritive values of the locally available resources that were presently being wasted, has the potential to use as a nutrient ingredient for artificial feed formulation in livestock farming. It could be concluded that the converting of trash fish into wealth (livestock feed) as an opportunity of adding value to the fish by-product.