The Biochemical Analysis of the Carcass of Two West African Caridean Shrimps: Macrobrachium vollenhovenii (Herklot's, 1857) and Macrobrachium macrobrachion (Herklot's, 1951) of the Great Kwa River, Nigeria

The proximate and mineral composition of the carcass of Macrobrachium vollenhovenii (Herklots 1857) and Macrobrachium macrobrachion (Herklots 1851) of the Great Kwa, Nigeria were investigated. The content of magnesium, phosphate and zinc were significantly different in the species (P greater than 0.01). However, the values of other minerals were similar in both species (Pgreater than0.01), giving values that ranged from 0.01mg/100gm in potassium, lead and copper to 0.25mg/100gm in calcium. The proximate composition of the carcass of both species were similar (Pgreater than 0.05) except values of moisture that were 38.40 0.32 % and 41.10.10 % in M. vollenhovenii and M. macrobrachion respectively. The caloric energy value of 232.5 0.82 Kj determined in M. vollenhovenii was higher than that measured in M. macrobrachion. Values obtained for minerals were lower than WHO values on toxic levels of minerals in aquatic species; data on the proximate composition compared favorably with values reported for similar organisms. The implication of these data are discussed extensively.