A study of optimal utilization of wood resources through alternative use of wood waste in fish smoking

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine and compare the suitability and efficiency of wood waste (saw dust and wood shaving) as alternative energy source to fuel wood in fish smoking with a view to enhance optimal utilization of wood resources. Fish samples collected were smoked with fuel wood, saw dust and wood shaving using kainji portable smoking kiln. Proximate composition of the samples was determined and the result subjected to statistical analysis using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Except their moisture content, the samples were not significantly different (p>0.05) in crude protein lipid and ash contents. The samples were also no significant difference (p>0.05) In their sensory properties. However, the specific fuel consumption (SFC) recorded were 7.40, 17.14 and 8.57 kg/kg of fresh fish smoked with fuel wood, saw dust and wood shavings are the cost of N284.49k (1.43USD), N 145.57K (0.73USD) and N 67.31k (0.34USD) respectively. The time spent to smoke 1 kg of fish with various wood materials gave the following results: fuel wood 242 min, sawdust 960 min and shavings 363 min. it was therefore concluded that both wood shavings and saw dusts could efficiently be used as alternatives to fuel wood in fish smoking. Although a better result was obtained with wood shavings in terms of higher combustion rate and smoking duration. Nevertheless, the recommendation focused on the need to consider the alternative in sawdust and wood shavings in smoking fish so as to optimize the utilization of the wood resource reduces energy scarcity and promote environmental friendly practice.