Comparative Study on the Proximate Composition of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Chrysichthys walkeri (Family Claroteidae) from Oyan Lake

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine and compare the proximate composition of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Chrysichthys walkeri from Oyan Lake, Ogun State, Nigeria. Fish samples were collected during the months of February, March and April, 2013 from Oyan Lake and conveyed to the laboratory for analysis. The proximate composition of protein, fat, moisture, ash and crude fiber were measured. Results revealed a moisture monthly variation between 69.68 ±2.44 – 77.28 ±1.56 for Chrysichthys walkeri and 68.52±2.94 – 72.47±3.65 for Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus. The protein content ranged between 19.47±0.33 – 20.14±0.43 for Chrysichthys walkeri and for Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus the protein content ranged from18.62±1.2 in March to 20.54±1.03 in February. The fat content of Chrysichthys walkeri ranged from 1.24% in February to 1.63 % in April, while for Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus the values ranged from 9.00% - 9.53%. The mean monthly ash content of Chrysichthys walkeri ranged from 1.37 - 1.38% and for Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus the values varied between1.37% and 1.57%.  Further results reveal a significant difference in the protein content and fat content of Chrysichthys walkeri in February and in the month of April while the protein content of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus differed significantly in the month of February from the month of March. In all the months Chrysichthys walkeri had the lowest protein content of 19.47%; it also had the lowest fat, ash and crude fibre content of 1.24%, 1.21% and 3.68% respectively.

Keywords: Chrysichthys walkeri, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, proximate composition, Oyan Lake