Nutritional Composition of Segregated Portions of Oreochromis niloticus from Unnichai Tank in Batticaloa District

Abstract

Fish is the major source of cheap animal protein for the cereal based diet of the people in Batticaloa. Fish provide high quality protein, vitamins, minerals, lipids and carbohydrates. The major problem that confronts Sri Lanka today is to find ways and means for improving food production. Finding adequate protein supplies to meet the needs of the increasing population is thus an increasing priority. In this regard it is important to increase the protein availability by utilizing fish found in inland water bodies in addition to the marine harvests. There is an urgent need to do a biochemical analysis of fin fish in fresh and processed form. Work has been carried out to assess the chemical composition of fresh and salt dried Oreochromis mossambicus from Beira Lake [1]. Work has also been carried out on the period of storage and composition of tilapia flesh [2]. Nutrient composition of certain fresh water fish species in Sri Lanka has also been carried out in 1996 [3]. However, there is no recorded information relating to the composition of fish. Fish provide a source of cheap animal protein substitute in feeds developed for cattle and poultry industry in addition to aquaculture industry. If the information on proximate composition for fish parts is available, it would enhance the collection of fish offal at the site of accumulation to be converted into wise utilization. This would also encourage a healthy and clean fish market environment which will be treasured by the public. There is much scope for developing the inland fisheries at the Unnichai tank into a productive biological resource, apart from supplying good quality drinking water to urban cities in the Batticaloa district. Therefore, the present study has been carried out to evaluate the proximate composition of skin, fin, flesh, bone etc to see whether there is any major difference in composition in relation to length and portions of the fish in different length groups.