Proximate Body Composition of Fish Species of the River Panjkora, Dir Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63075/dgt4xg43Abstract
Proximate composition refers to the percentages of moisture, protein, lipids, ash, and fibre in the body of a fish. To find the proximate body composition of fish species of the River Panjkora, this study was conducted. Eight freshwater fish species of Schizothorax, all uniform size, were collected from different regions of the River Panjkora and transported to the veterinary research institute's lab in Peshawar for proximate analysis. The water content was calculated by weighing the fish before and after it was burned in a furnace. Ash contents were calculated by burning the sample in the furnace at 500 °C for up to 7 hours. The Kjeldahl technique was used for estimating the protein and lipid contents. The maximum and minimum water content were observed in Racoma labiata and Crossocheilus diplocheilus, with values of 76.19% and 70.26%, respectively. The values of dry matter for the same species were 98.16% and 93.54%, respectively. Schizothorax labiatus and Crossocheilus diplocheilus exhibited ash contents of 10.99% and 7.61%, respectively. Similarly, the maximum protein values were observed in Glyptothorax stocki, with values of 76.34%. Fats were found in Schizothorax labiatus and Glyptothorax naziri, with a value of 12. 92% and 6.49% respectively. 1.69% fibres and 5.5% nitrogen-free extract were observed in Glyptosternon reticulum, and 6.76% fibres and 0.97% nitrogen-free extract were observed in Crossocheilus diplocheilus. In comparison, Racoma labiata showed 5.4% fibres, 0.39% nitrogen-free extract, and Glyptothorax stocki showed 5.42% fibres, 0.41% nitrogen-free extract. Our results confirmed that Racoma labiata and three species of Schizothorax (S. Glyptothorax, S. stocki, and S. naziri) are useful to humans due to their higher protein, lipid, and nitrogen-free extract content. Therefore, it can be suggested for human use in all respects.
Key words: Fish, Proximate Composition, River Panjkora. Schizothorax Species
