PROXIMATE COMPOSITION AND CONCENTRATION OF SOME HEAVY METALS IN SMOKED SYNODONTIS OMIAS AND MORMYRUS RUME FROM GASHUA RIVER
The proximate value and the concentration of some heavy metals in Smoked Synodontis omias and Mormyrus rume from Gashua River were determined over a month. The smoked fish samples of Synodontis omias and Mormyrus rume were purchased from Gashua community, Yobe State in northeastern Nigeria, and labeled accordingly. The samples were placed in polythene bags and were immediately transported in plastic boxes to Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry Laboratory Yobe State University for Proximate analysis. Fish muscles and Gills were removed with a plastic knife, oven dried at about 80°C. Samples were analyzed following the analytical procedures specified by AOAC for heavy metals and proximate composition respectively. The result indicates that the concentration of heavy metals in descending order of magnitude are Cu>Pb>Ni> Cr >As> Cd, and their mean values (±SD) are respectively 3.443±0.0312mg/kg, 1.168±0.0175 mg/kg, 1.137±0.0064 mg/kg, 0.777±0.0032 mg/kg, 0.231±0.0025 mg/kg, 0.130±0.0015 mg/kg in Synodontis omias and Cu> Ni> Cr > Pb> As> Cd, and their mean values (±SD) are 5.427±0.0211 mg/kg, 2.236±0.0074 mg/kg, 1.738±0.0052 mg/kg, 0.955±0.0047 mg/kg, 0.319±0.0011 mg/kg, 0.179±0.0005 mg/kg in Mormyrus rume. The results obtained for proximate composition are moisture (12.57%), protein (34.51%), Nitrogen Free Energy(NFE) (31.93%), fat (15.10%), fibre (0.86%) and ash (5.03%) in Synodontis omias and moisture (8.69%), protein (32.20%), Nitrogen Free Energy (44.60%), fat (10.43%), fibre (0.60%) and ash (3.48%) in Mormyrus rume. The result showed that the concentration of copper, nickel, and chromium are above their FAO stated limits and as such could pose a health risk to consumers. Similarly, the study revealed that Synodontis omias andMormyrus rume are very rich in protein it is therefore recommended to consumers for their protein needs and particularly, to those with protein deficiency as a source of readily available and cheap animal protein. Consumers are, however, warned to check the level (quantity) of consumption so as not to endanger their life.
KEYWORDS Heavy metal, proximate composition, smoked, Synodontis omias, Mormyrus rume, Gashua River.
