Consumption of Lates niloticus and Oreochromis niloticus for Health Maintenance

Background: Oreochromis niloticus and Lates niloticus (‘Sato’ and ‘Sangara’ in Swahili, respectively) are among fish species consumed in DSM. DSM marketed and O. niloticus fresh from Lake Victoria are they the same in terms of their nutritional quality? Aims: This study aimed at finding out the nutritional quality of O. niloticus and L. niloticus obtained from DSM fish markets and Nera (Mwanza). Methods: Standard methods described by Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) were employed in the determination of crude protein, total lipid, total ash, moisture for the two fish species. The digested 4210 microwave-plasma atomic emission spectrometer (MP-AES) was used for mineral analysis. Results: Irrespective of their sampling sites, L. niloticus and O. niloticus contained crude protein content ranging from 17.7-18.0% and 18.9-20.2%, respectively. O. niloticus contained more crude fat and therefore, more gross energy (ranging from 1-1.3%, and from 89.7-92.6% respectively) than L. niloticus (ranging from 0.6-0.7% and from 85.4-87.1%). Mineral analysis results showed Ca ranging from 6.8-7.0 µg/g (L. niloticus), 4.5-5.0 µg/g (O. niloticus); Fe ranging from 25.9-26.2 µg/g (L. niloticus), 19.3-20.1 µg/g (O. niloticus); Na ranged from 64.7-65.0 µg/g (L. niloticus), 79.9-81.9 µg/g (O. niloticus); K ranged from 278-280 µg/g (L. niloticus), 269.4-270 µg/g (O. niloticus); Mn ranged from 0.46-0.5 µg/g (L. niloticus), 0.7-0.73 µg/g (O. niloticus); Mg ranged from 134.9-135.5 µg/g (L. niloticus), and 132-133.9 µg/g (O. niloticus). Conclusion: The two fish species are good sources of protein and fat, hence higher gross energy. They are also abundant in minerals like K, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe and Na, essential for health maintenance. Due to the high crude protein and mineral contents, families are encouraged to consume these fishes to secure their nutrition and maintain good health. Moreover, the remarkable Na/K ratio in both species regardless of the sampling site was within the recommended limits (<1), therefore, overcoming the risk of cardiovascular diseases.