Proximate and Mineral Composition in Muscle and Head Tissue of Seven Commercial Species of the Nile Fish from Sudan

Abstract

Proximate and mineral composition of muscle and head tissues of the Nile fish: Barbus bynni, Labeo niloticus, Mormyrops anguilloides, Marcusenius cyprinoides, Mormyrus niloticus, Clarias lazera and Protopterus annectens was determined. Protein content was (84%) in muscle tissues of L. niloticus and P. annectens and (66%) in M. cyprinoides, (70, 74 and 76%) in head tissues of M. niloticus, P. annectens and C. lazera, repectively. Lipid content was (23 and 26%) in muscle tissues of M. niloticus and M. cyprinoides, repectively, (46 and 47%) in head tissues of M. cyprinoides and M. anguilloides, respectively. Ash content was (3-9%) in muscle tissues, high in C. lazera, (12 to 33%) in head tissues, high in L. niloticus and least in M. niloticus. Total minerals content was (104.3-176.2 mg/100g) in muscle tissues, high in M. cyprinoides and least in M. niloticus, (117.5-340.6 mg/100g) in head tissues, high in C. lazera and least in M. niloticus. Considerable amount of Ca was detected in head compared to muscle tissues. The study points out that both muscle and head tissues of the investigated Nile fish contain appreciable levels of nutrients, and the head waste may be a valuable source for human consumption and fish lipid. Further research should cover other Nile fish and their discharged wastes, and essential amino acids and fatty acids should be included.