Proximate and mineral content of Atya gabonensis Giebel, 1875 and Macrobrachium felicinum Holthuis, 1949 from River Benue and River Niger, Nigeria

Abstract

Proximate and mineral composition of A. gabonensis and M. felicinum were studied. The moisture, ash, ether extract, crude protein, nitrogen free extract, Na, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mg, Ca, K and Mn were analyzed. The mean value of moisture, ash, ether extract, crude protein, nitrogen free extract, Na, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mg, Ca, K and Mn were 8.77%, 14.25%, 3.24%, 7.26%, 64.67%, 1.81%. 0.08mg/100g, 0.02mg/100g, 0.06mg/10g, 0.001mg/100g, 0.92mg/100g, 0.88mg/100g, 2.48mg/100g and 0.25mg/100g respectively in M. felicinum and 7.51%, 25.93%, 3.51%, 11.32%, 49.89%, 1.78%, 2.14mg/100g, 0.02mg/100g, 0.07mg/100g, 0.001mg/100g, 0.78mg/100g,0.89mg/100g,2.69mg/100g, 0.27mg/100g respectively in A. gabonensis. M. felicinum and A. gabonensis are good sources of protein and Ash, thereby, it can be used as substitute for fish, meat, plant protein and animal protein for feed formulation for animals and children because they compare favorably with the protein content of other conventional feed-stuff.