Does size matter? Observation on the availability of micronutrients in two different sizes of small freshwater fish Amblypharyngodon mola (Hamilton, 1822)

Abstract

Two size groups (based on Total Length, TL) of Amblypharyngodon mola (small, TL=4-7cm; big, TL>7cm) were studied for availability of Ca, Fe, Zn and Vitamin A contents in its body using AAS and HPLC methods. The Ca, Fe and Zn contents of small sized A. mola were found to be significantly higher than that of big sized groups. The average Ca content was estimated to be highest (4680.223 mg.100g-1) in this fish followed by Zn (18.41mg.100g-1) and Fe (17.03mg.100g-1). However, Vitamin A content was estimated to be more or less equal in both the size groups (small, 1.27446 g.100g-1 and big, 1.21854 g.100g-1). The study showed that smaller size A. mola are rich in micronutrients than its bigger counterparts.