Amino acid composition and proximate analysis in tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) fish from dams and rivers in Zamfara State, Nigeria

Twelve pieces of Tilapia mossambicus fish samples of 28 cm average length and 52 g average weight, two from each of the six sampling locations were analyzed for Amino Acid composition using Applied Biosystems PTH Amino Acid Analyzer as described by standard methods. A proximate analysis of the fish samples was also carried out. Result showed that Glutamic acid and Aspartic acid are the most concentrated amino acid present in the fish which ranged between 11.96 to 15.14 g/100g protein and 7.69 to 9.42 g/100g protein respectively. The essential amino acid and protein composition of the fish were higher in the dams than in the rivers. The composition of the amino acid analyzed were within standard regulatory agency limits. For the proximate composition, moisture content varied between 71.05% - 77.71% while ash composition was 10.20%. The crude fat composition ranged between 8.59 – 11.67% during the dry season. The values obtained for the proximate composition where within the reported ranges with higher percentage in the case of ash. The concentration of the proximate components in the fish samples are within the reference value of FAO/WHO for Humans. Special attention is needed in monitoring gold mining activities which largely contribute to the reduction and pollution of the nutritional qualities of the fishes from the rivers. Keywords: amino acid, proximate composition, tilapia fish, water bodies