Journal of Fisheries and Life Sciences

Author(s): Christian Larbi Ayisi, Andrews Apraku and Grace Debra

Abstract: The present study was aimed to establish the nutritional quality of salted tilapia from selected open markets across Ghana. Samples were selected from six markets namely Kpando, Akatey, Dambai, Ejisu, Makola and Kumasi Central across four regions (Eastern, Greater Accra, Volta and Ashanti). Fatty acid composition, Amino acids and biochemical composition were analyzed in triplicates including. Salt content, water salt phase, and nutritional indices thrombogenic index, atherogenic index and polyene index were measured Protein and moisture content were higher in fish from Dambai (respectively) whiles a high fat content (Ë‚8%) was obtained in salted fish from Akatey. Ash content was observed to be influenced by size fish which related to those obtained from Makola market. On measuring the freshness of fish, the pH was below 7 across markets with those from Kumasi Central market recording the highest (6.83±0.23). The same was obtained in salt and percentage water content (%WPS) (21.57±2.46 and 15.38±1.83 respectively). Abundance of oleic and palmitoleic acid were obtained across all markets with the highest in those obtained from Kpando market including n3/n6 fatty acids, although EPA recorded was lower. High polyene and peroxidase index were obtained in fish from Makola market whereas those from Ejisu market recorded the highest thrombogenic and atherogenic indexes. Amino acid contents were not influenced irrespective of markets except those from Akatey.The results of this study indicate salted tilapia from the selected markets are of high quality and are highly recommended as a good source of protein.