Elemental Study of Common Iced Fish Species Sold in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

There is a death of information on the mineral composition of essential, toxic elements of commonly consumed frozen fishes in Nigeria, hence, this study was conducted to determine the proximate, elemental composition and also estimate the daily intake of the minerals obtained in the frozen samples of Hake (Merluccius merluccius), Sardine (Sardinella eba), Chub Mackerel (Scomber jopanicus), Atlantic horse Mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) and, Croaker (Pseudolithus elongatus) obtained from four markets in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. The fish species examined contained appreciable concentrations of protein which ranged from 15.19% in Chub mackerel to 21.75 % in Atlantic horse mackerel. The ash and moisture content suggest that the fish species are a good source of minerals and a veritable medium for microbial proliferation respectively, while, the crude fat value ranging between 0.16 % in Atlantic horse mackerel to 0.27 % in Hake showed that they are lean fat fishes. The Estimated Dietary Intake (EDI) of the macro and microelements analysed in the fish species (except for phosphorus) fell short of the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) that were established by the Institute of Medicine.  However, the concentrations of toxic elements such as lead, arsenic and cadmium exceeded the maximum limits set for these elements in foods, and this consequently poses a long term risk as a result of the bioaccumulation and biomagnifications of these toxic elements in the body.