Proximate and Mineral Compositions of Mudskipper Fish (Periophthalmus Babarus) in the Mangrove Swamp of Calabar River, Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Proximate and mineral compositions of Periophthalmus babarus were carried out with standard methods. The fish samples were collected from Mangrove Swamp of Nsidung Beach, Calabar River, Nigeria. The results revealed the presence of Total protein ranging from 54.5 to 56%, Total fat 4.7 to 5.2%, Dry matter 89.69 to 90%, Crude fibre 1.11 to 1.16%, Ash content 17.77 to 18.02%, Moisture content 9.75 to 10.25%,  Energy value 269 to 299% and Carbohydrate 1.12 to 2.28%. Minerals included Calcium (1.99 to 2.20 mg/kg), Phosphorus (0.85 to 0.89 mg/kg), Sodium (0.33 to 0.38 mg/kg), Manganese (0.19 to 0.22 mg/kg) and Potassium (0.19 to 0.22 mg/kg). The results showed that the most abundant macro element present in the fish samples was Calcium (Ca). Iron was the most abundant microelement ranging from 0.027 to 0.038mg/kg, followed by Magnesium ranging from 0.018 to 0.021 mg/kg, Copper ranging from 0.001 to 0.002 mg/kg and Zinc ranging from 0.0022 to 0.0025 mg/kg. The result shows that all heavy metals analysized were below acceptable limit. The result also shows that the most abundant vitamin present in the fish samples was Niacin. The study therefore, showed that this fish (Periophthalmus babarus) are good sources of minerals and some vitamin. It could be inferred that the mineral elemental levels of this species is a function of the availability preferential accumulation. However, it revealed from this study that, micro-nutrients were low, which could be due to the fact that the body needs of the fish are met and the concentrations in the water body is low. It therefore becomes necessary to consider the mineral status of the fish and the persistent food safety of the fish prior to consumption in addition to the prevailing choice for fish as a high protein source. This work has unveiled the importance of this fish as good sources of protein and some macro-nutrients. Since nutritional value of the fish examined are now known, consumers can now know what benefits to derive when these fish species are eaten.