Biochemical Profiling of Some Commercial Marine Fin Fish Species in Lagos (Nigeria)

The proximate mineral compositions of Scomber scombrus, Pseudotholitus typus, and Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus in Lagos were analyzed using standard methods. Moisture content was 58.12%, 75.28%, and 74.68% respectively. Crude protein content was not significantly different among the species. Scomber scombrus had the highest crude fat and was the only species with detectable crude fiber (2.04%). Ash contents were similar across species. Carbohydrate content was lowest in Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (3.48%) and highest in Scomber scombrus (7.42%). Pseudotholitus typus had the highest total macro elements. Mineral patterns varied, with all minerals except sodium being significantly higher in Scomber scombrus and Pseudotholitus typus compared to Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus. This indicates that nutritional quality changes are associated with variations in mineral content.