The Nutrient Contents of Traditional Sun- Dried Nile Fish in Sudan

Abstract

The chemical compositions gross energy and mineral contents were determined for sun dried fish: Lates niloticus, Tetraodon lineatus, Heterotis niloticus, Mormyrus niloticus, Clarias lazera and Protopterus annectens. Protein value of over 70g/100g was recorded for the analyzed fish except C. lazera which contained (59.9±1.4g/100g). The range of lipid content was (2±0.1-16.6±0.8g/100g), with the highest values in C. lazera and M. niloticus. The range of ash was (3.9±0.1-13.6±0.9g/100g), high in P. annectens and C. lazera than in remaining species. Energy value was (475-555 Kcal/100g) high in C. lazera. Minerals were dominated by Ca, Na, K and P which form 99% of total minerals. The value of Mg was (1.4-2mg/100g) and the values of other minerals were <1mg/100g. The results revealed that sun-dried product (Kajaike) of Nile fish is a good source of proteins, minerals as well as energy, thus has high nutritional value for healthy diet. The data may benefit the fishery industry, nutritionists and researchers to improve the nutritive value, processing techniques and marketing of selected fish.