Chemical Composition and Amino Acid Profile of a Caridean Prawn (macrobrachium Vollenhovenii) from Ovia River and Tropical Periwinkle (tympanotonus Fuscatus) from Benin River, Edo State, Nigeria

The proximate, mineral composition and amino acid profile of the body parts of Macrobrachium vollenhovenii (African river prawn) and Tympanotonus fuscatus (tropical periwinkle) were determined. The length and weight of the prawns varied from 15cm to 17.6cm and 72.76g to 130.65g respectively while the length and weight of the periwinkles varied from 22.72mm to 54.72mm and 1.53g to 7.59g respectively. Chemical analysis was done in triplicates while the data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and Duncan’s multiple range test. The protein content of the two species was high. Protein values ranged from 67.68-69.71%, fat values ranged from 6.87-7.68%, ash values ranged from 10.16-10.55%, fibre values ranged from 0.40-0.54%, moisture values ranged from 10.25-10.71%, carbohydrate values ranged from 0.58-3.65%. Protein, fat, ash, fibre, moisture and carbohydrate were significantly different (P<0.05) between the body parts of the two species. The mineral values of the two species were high especially that of phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca). Phosphorus ranged from 100.81-106.71mg/100g. Calcium ranged from 44.73-52.00mg/100g. Magnesium (Mg) ranged from 20.4821.70mg/100g. Zinc (Zn) values ranged from 1.16-2.14mg/100g. The Ca, P and Zn content between the body parts of the two species were significantly different (P<0.05) from each other except for magnesium which was not significantly different (P>0.05). Thirteen amino acids were reported, 8 essential amino acids and 5 non-essential amino acids. Glutamine, asparagine, lysine, leucine, arginine, glycine and valine were the most abundant amino acids. The ratios of essential amino acids (EAA) to non-essential amino acids (NEAA) in prawns and periwinkles were 1.05 and 1.09 respectively. The alanine, arginine, asparagine, glutamine, glycine, histidine, serine, threonine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine & valine contents in the body parts of the two species were significantly different (P<0.05) from each other. In conclusion, Macrobrachium vollenhovenii (African river prawn) and Tympanotonus fuscatus (tropical periwinkle) are good sources of protein and amino acids which can be used for feed formulation and consumed by humans. They also contain considerable amounts of minerals and are low in fat.