COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF AFRICAN LUNG FISH (Protopterus annectens OWEN, 1839) AND AFRICAN BONYTONGUE (Heterotis niloticus CUVIER, 1829) FROM LAKE ALAU, MAIDUGURI, NORTHEAST NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the proximate composition of African Lung Fish (Protopterus annectens) and African Bonytongue
(Heterotis niloticus) collected from Lake Alau, Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria. Specimens were analyzed for protein, fat,
moisture, fibre, ash, and carbohydrate contents using standard procedures of AOAC. P. annectens showed significantly
higher values for protein (30.02 ± 4.32%) and moisture (79.81 ± 0.12%), while H. niloticus exhibited higher ash (2.52 ±
0.21%) and carbohydrate (2.35 ± 1.01%) contents. Fat values were 11.83 ± 1.11% for P. annectens and 12.67 ± 1.08% for
H. niloticus. Fibre was detected only in P. annectens (1.96 ± 0.13%), while it was below detection level in H. niloticus (0.00
± 0.00%). The results were benchmarked against FAO standard ranges, indicating both species meet or exceed
recommended values for human nutrition. These findings provide baseline data for nutritional assessment and support
improved utilization and marketing of these commercially important species.