Chemical compositions and minerals of some commercially important fish species from the South Caspian Sea

The objective of the current study was determined chemical composition (including protein, lipid, ash and moisture) and content of minerals (Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, Cr, Ca, Na, Mg, Mo, P, Se, K, I and F) in five fish species from the South Caspian Sea. The chemical analysis revealed that the protein content of common kilka, Caspian kutum, common carp, pike perch and golden grey mullet was 18.35%, 21.39%, 19.37%, 20.35% and 21.28% of the fresh weight, respectively. The lipid content and ash ranged from 1.97-10.23%, 1.15-3.33% of the fresh weight, correspondingly. The concentrations of several elements in the fishes were significantly different among the species in each country. Concentration of Cr was the highest in muscle of Caspian kutum. The highest concentrations of Fe, Ca, Na, I and F were found in the common carp among the five species (p<0.01). Phosphorus value was highest in the pike perch, whereas Zn, Mg and P were highest in muscle of the common kilka. Many of the aforementioned indices had significant statistical differences (P≤0.01) and the cluster analysis results of mineral content showed that Caspian kutum and golden grey mullet had good similarity, followed by the pike perch and common carp, respectively; and common kilka had no resemblance with others.