The proximate and mineral compositions of mudskipper (Periophthalmus barbarus) from the Ibaka mangrove ecosystem were investigated using standard methods. The results shows the mean values (mm ± SD) for crude protein, carbohydrate, ash, crude fiber, lipid, moisture and caloric values as 18.62±1.40, 0.57±0.64, 1.46±0.27, 0.65±0.19, 2.77±0.19, 79.95±3.69 and 101.19±9.26, respectively. The results of this study also revealed a steady trend in the values of nutrients between seasons (wet and dry seasons). However, higher values were recorded in the wet seasons than dry seasons. This could be as a result of high influx of nutrients from allocthonous sources from run-offs. The differences are not statistically significant (p=0.792 p>0.05). The mean chemical composition for potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc were 341.51 ± 65.31, 26.16 ± 5.22, 3.13 ± 1.36, 1.96 ± 1.0, 3.03±0.05 and 0.96 ± 0.68, respectively. The results of this present study further revealed the chemical composition of the mudskipper with potassium (K) having the highest value/ range (254.00 mg/100g - 421.0 mg/100g), followed by calcium (17.43 mg/100g - 30.24 mg/100g). Periophthalmus barbarus from Ibaka mangrove ecosystem have high nutritional values which are of public health importance and can be utilized as good source of nutrients and minerals required for human nutritional needs. This study therefore recommends P. barbarus as a good source of major nutrients and minerals for proper growth and development of the body.
Key words: Ash content, mudskipper, mangrove swamp, proximate, mineral profile
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