Author(s): John E Ukpatu and James P Udoh

Abstract: The study investigated the influence of environmental factors in the proximate composition of Nematopalaemon hastatus shrimp in Okoro River estuary, Nigeria. The studied shrimp were 48.24% rich in crude protein; their proximate compositions being significantly affected by size, temporal and seasonal variations. Crude fibre and lipid contents decreased, while crude protein attained maximal level in the rainy season (P<0.05), peaking in April. Ash and lipid contents increased with size (P<0.05), while protein content was higher in younger than in adult shrimps (P< 0.05). Salinity, temperature and rainfall were the key environmental factors that exert significant (P>0.05) influence on shrimp properties. Temperature and salinity promote (P < 0.05) dry matter excluding moisture, lipid and crude fibre; rainfall promotes (P < 0.05) lipids, ash and carbohydrate contents excluding crude protein; and digestible carbohydrates showed positive affinity with moisture content, dry matter and protein. The interrelationships and pathways were summarized in a dendogram and general implications established.

Pages: 210-216  |  1180 Views  157 Downloads

Download Full Article: Click Here