Fish is valued for its nutritional qualities as a good source of minerals, vitamins and protein in the amount required for healthy human growth . African catfish, Clarias gariepinus is widely consumed in Nigeria but prone to decomposition immediately after harvest, as fish is prone to decomposition, development of rancidity and microbial spoilage, there is a great need to process and preserve harvested fish in order to extend its shelf life for human consumption (Agiopu, 2007). Frozen storage is used to arrest spoilage in the sample fish , both cultured (CWF) and wild (WWF) Clarias gariepinus were subjected to frozen storage after removing the slime and blood clots from the skin. Proximate analysis of fish samples were determined before, during and after the frozen storage. Biochemical and mineral contents of fish samples were determined at 14days interval of freezing and the results obtained were subjected to analysis of variance ANOVA at p<0.05.
Results
The study showed that cultured C gariepinus is similar to wild C gariepinus in PV, TBA and food composition values, even better in certain values . As a result, cultured Clarias gariepinus is a product with similar quality and high nutritive value as the wild.