Proximate Compositions of Clarias gariepinus from Selected Dams in Niger State

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the proximate compositions of Clarias gariepinus from selected dams in Niger state, Nigeria. Niger state comprised of three geo-political zones namely Zone A, B and C. the selected dams were Agaie Lapai dam in zone A, Shiroro dam in zone B and kainji dam in zone C respectively. Clarias gariepinus were collected from the selected dams from each zones. Crude protein, moisture, ash, lipids and nitrogen free extract contents were analyzed using the AOAC methods. The species shows significant differences (p<0.05) in the results of the proximate analysis. However, Moisture content was recorded significantly high p<0.05) in all the species of Clarias gariepinus from Agaie- lapai dam in zone A(75.18±0.01) and low in kainji dam in Zone C(72.34±0.01). The crude protein content was significantly high (p<0.05) in zone C Clarias gariepinus (10.68±0.01) and low in in Agaielapai dam in zone A, lipids contents recorded highest in Clarias gariepinus in zone A (5.04±0.01) and significantly low (p<0.05) in zone C (3.86±0.0). The ash content in Clarias gariepinus was high in Zone C (2.72±0.01) and low in zone A (1.44±0.01) while the nitrogen free extract was significantly highest in shiroro dam in zone B (11.22 ±0.01) and low in zone A (9.16±0.01) respectively. The research revealed that, Zone C Clarias garipinus is high in crude protein while Zone A has high lipid content.