The contribution of aquaculture to human nutrition, consumers’ preferential bias towards capture fisheries and concerns on food safety has necessitated the need for information on the nutritional composition of fish species from diverse settings such as geographical locations and aquaculture rearing facilities. This study was conducted to determine and compare the nutritional profile and human health risk assessment of adult size African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) cultured in plastic tanks with those harvested from the wild.
This study was carried out using black coloured plastic tanks that were stocked with C. gariepinus fingerlings and cultured to table size in five months, with no growth inducing hormone/ treatment administered to the fishes throughout the study. Fish samples (wgt. 800 – 1200 grams) were collected from each of the tank ponds, packed in polyethylene bags and preserved in ice blocks and were taken to a National reference analytical laboratory for analysis.
Results showed the mean protein and lipid values of cultured C. gariepinus were significantly higher than reported values in
C. gariepinus from the wild (Table 1), while captured fishes reported higher ash content, mineral composition and trace metal contents (Table 2)
Health risk assessment indicated the absence of non – carcinogenic risk (HI <1) and carcinogenic risk (ICR < 1 × 10−4) associated with the consumption of cultured
C. gariepinus. While captured fishes reported high hazard index values (HI > 1) indicating associated health risk to consumers. With increasing concerns on aquatic food safety due to water pollution, this study has shown that the consumption of cultured
C. gariepinus is more nutritious and guarantees food safety to consumers.