Abstract:
The study was conducted during November 2018 - April 2019 in and around Berber locality which is located in River Nile State in the north western part of the Sudan, to determine the body weight composition, approximate analysis (moisture, protein, fat and ash), some minerals (phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), potassium (K) and zinc (Zn) and some heavy metals (lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg). of four commercial freshwater fish in Sudan.
These were (Mormyrus caschive (Linnaeus, 1758) (Khashm al banat), Hyperopisus bebe (Lacepede, 1803) (Sawya), Marcusenius cyprinoides (Linnaeus, 1758) (Um shiffa) and Mormyrops anguilloides (Linnaeus, 1758) (Taraza).
Results of body weight composition revealed that Mormyrus anguilloides and Marusenius cyprinoides gave the highest percentages of fillets yield. (50%). While Hyperopisus bebe, Mormyrus caschive gave the lowest value. (49%, 47%. respectively).
In approximate composition, moisture of (Hyperopisus bebe, Mormyrus caschive, Marcusenius cyprinoides and Mormyrops anguilloides). (67.14±0.29, 67.05±0.17, 66.95±0.07 and 66.84±0.12. respectively). Protein of (Mormyrops anguilloides, Marcusenius cyprinoides, Mormyrus caschive and Hyperopisus bebe). (21.66±0.89, 21.19±0.40, 19.85±0.09 and 19.79±0.06. respectively). Fat of Mormyrus caschive, Hyperopisus bebe, Marcusenius cyprinoides and Mormyrops anguilloides (5.23±0.14, 5.16±0.07, 4.93±0.09 and 4.71±0.06. respectively). Ash of (Mormyrops anguilloides, Marcusenius cyprinoides, Hyperopisus bebe and Mormyrus caschive). (2.23±0.08, 2.2±0.05, 1.98±0.10 and 1.96±0.11. respectively). They have significant difference in fish species and sex. (P˂0.05).
Results of elements (P, Ca, K and Zn) Revealed that Mormyrops anguilloides and Macrusenius cyprinoides indicates the highest values of elements and have significant difference (P˂0.05), in fish species and sex.
Results of heavy metals (Pb, Ca and Hg) present low values that lower than permissible limits reported by Food and Agricultural Organization (1984 - 2012), World Health Organization (1984 - 2012) and other organization (Appendix-1).
Studied fish species have reported high nutritional values and fillets yield and low heavy metals content which reflect healthy environment in the study areas.
