COMPOSITIONAL ENERGY VALUES, MACRO AND TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE CARIDEAN SPECIES, Macrobrachium macrobrachion (HERKLOTS, 1851)

Abstract

Edible crustaceans, such as prawns, are one of the most nutritious shellfish available to humans. Meanwhile, the macro-micro nutrient content of seafood determines their nutritional value. The study assessed the energy values, macro and trace elemental residues in the caridean species, Macrobrachium macrobrachion from the Lagos Lagoon in Nigeria. The protein contents obtained from M. macrobrachion were 50.16±0.00 % and 56.20±0.01 % for exoskeleton and flesh samples respectively.  Crude fiber and total ash contents were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in exoskeleton compared to the flesh part. Flesh sample had the highest proportion of energy contribution, which was from protein (PEP = 63.8 %) while the least energy contribution was from fat (PEF = 17.0 %) in exoskeleton sample. The value of total macro element was higher in exoskeleton sample (626.23 mg 100g^-1) than in flesh sample (402.28 mg 100g^-1). The highest percentage difference (% D) in mineral content between exoskeleton and flesh samples of M. macrobrachion was recorded in phosphorus with the value of 46.93 %. All the computed mineral ratios were comparably lower than the reference values. Furthermore, all the minerals had calculated Mineral Safety Index lower than the tabulated, showing positive percentage differences ranging from 74.67 to 90.61 % and 85.07 to 93.65 % for exoskeleton and flesh samples respectively. The trace metal result showed that iron, zinc and copper were the most abundant elements in exoskeleton and flesh of M. macrobrachion whereas chromium, lead and cadmium were the least abundant trace element detected. Furthermore, most of the trace metal levels recorded in this study were below the maximum permitted concentrations. The nutrient composition recorded for M. macrobrachion implies that it could be a healthy diet option for health-conscious consumers.