Abstract:
Background: Fish are high in nutrition and have a variety of health benefits for humans. Three
freshwater fish species namely Channa striata, Heterophenus fossili and Osphronemus
goramy, are locally available and usually consumed in Ampara district were studied.
Objectives: There is hardly any recent study performed on proximate chemical composition
and cadmium content of these fish species to ensure the requirement of compliance with food
regulations and other commercial specifications. Thus, there is a necessity of determining the
chemical composition of these species to fill the information gap which helps in developing
consumer safe, nutritionally balanced and cost-effective diets for people in Ampara district.
Methods: Ten individual samples of each fish species were collected from the local market
and the proximate composition and cadmium content in samples were analysed by standard
methods. Data were statistically analysed by using SPSS software.
Results: The results revealed that the average protein and moisture contents of the fish varied
from 14.3±0.1 % to 20.2±0.2 % and 77.90±0.57 % to 79.18±0.14 % respectively, where H.
fossili was found to be with the highest protein and moisture contents followed by C.striata. The minimum (0.12±0.008 %) and maximum (0.63±0.019 %) fat contents were reported for
C.striata and H.fossili respectively. The mean values of the ash contents varied among the three
species from 0.12±0.006 % to 0.86±0.037 % at p <0.05. The cadmium concentration was varied
between 0.020±0.001 ppm to 0.022±0.001 ppm, which is still within the FAO recommended
safety level. A significant difference was observed (p<0.05) in moisture, protein and ash
contents among the species whereas fat and cadmium contents showed no significant
differences.
Conclusion: The species H. fossili could be preferred for continuous consumption as it has a
higher content of protein and all three species are safe for consumption as far as the cadmium
content is concerned.
