Studies on the Proximate Composition of Tropical Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Abstract

Studies on the proximate composition of Male, Female and Berried Females of Freshwater prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii was conducted and nutritional values i.e. Protein, Carbohydrate, Lipid, Ash, Moisture, Free Amino acids, Fatty Acids, DNA and RNA contents were analysed and presented. Morphometric data obtained for freshwater prawn M. rosenbergii, Male, Female and Berried Female sex clearly indicates the differential growth patterns of Male and Female sexes. Due to edible nature of Crustaceans including prawns constitute one of the major sources of nutritive materials for humans and form one of the key points of food chain cycle. The organic constituents of Muscle tissue i.e. Protein, Carbohydrate, Lipid, Free amino acids and Fatty acids clearly reveals the nutritive nature of freshwater prawns. Considering the nutritional point of view, M. rosenbergii can be very well used as food so that a better choice for commercial culture.