International Journal of Poultry and Fisheries Sciences

This study was carried out to determine the proximate composition and some heavy metals (Lead, Zinc, Copper, Cadmium ) accumulation in shrimps and oysters from Buguma creek and to evaluate to what extent the changes in proximate composition and these heavy metals accumulation in shrimp (Penaeus notialis) and oyster (Crassostrea gasar) before and after smoke drying. Hot smoking method was used. The values obtained from proximate analysis of smoke dried shrimps and oysters were moisture (14.90 and 25.90) %, Ash (12.64 and 8.35) %, Protein (51.17and 56.41) %, Fat (10.13 and 6.93) %, Fiber (4.59% and 1.03%) and carbohydrate (2.22 and 3.81) % respectively. Data was analyzed using ANOVA and t-test. Results showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the fresh and smoked samples. Heavy metal accumulation of smoke dried shrimp and oyster were Zinc (0.11 and 0.86) ppm, copper (1.04 and 1.82) ppm, lead (0.12 and 0.50) ppm and Cadmium (0.30 and 0.21) ppm respectively. There was no significant difference of the fresh and smoke dried shrimp and oyster. The results also showed an increase in the proximate parameters after smoke drying except moisture. Zinc, lead and cadmium were within the W.H.O. permissible limit but copper was above the limit.

Key words: Proximate analysis; oyster; shrimp; heavy metals;

In Nigerian Agricultural development matrix, the fisheries sector is important as it serves as a very important source of protein and also a means of livelihood to many Nigerians. The fisheries sector is estimated to contribute 3.5% of Nigerian’s GDP and provides direct and indirect employment to over six million people Trade invest Nigeria [1]. According to FAO [2], per capital consumption of aquatic products has increased drastically in the last 10 years. Among the range of shell fish, shrimp and oysters are the most important species accounting for more than 70% of the total earnings of marine export in developing countries of the world [3]. Shrimp as well as oysters are very nutritious as they constitute desirable components of a healthy diet such as protein, minerals and vitamins. Shrimps are highly relished and are among the leading priced seafood on the global menu [4]. With the steady increase in rates of shrimp consumption in the developed world, especially in the US, Europe and Japan, it is increasingly becoming obvious that per capita shrimp intake probably correlates positively with economic growth [5].

Nigeria is among tropical countries endowed with rich shrimp resources. According to Dublin-Green and Tobor [6], the coastal waters of Nigeria are characterized by abundance of important living resources including shrimps, predominantly members of the family penaeidae. Nigeria is one of the tropical countries that export shrimps to developed countries like USA, Japan, and some European nations. With a production capacity of 12,000 MT annually, Nigeria’s shrimps are at present entirely wild caught from the Niger Delta. Nigeria has a coastline of approximately 853 km, over 70% of which lies in the delta; the surface area of the continental shelf is 46,300km2 while the Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) covers an area of 210,900km2 [7]. Farfantepenaeus notialis (the pink shrimp) contributes greater proportion of shrimp in both small scale and large scale fisheries sectors in Nigeria. This is in line with the pattern of global production. Penaeid shrimps are, in terms of volume of catch and value per unit catch, one of the most important fishery resources worldwide [8]. These shrimps constitute a major part of worldwide fisheries catch, which ranged from 2.1 to 2.5 million MT annually in 1993-1997 [9].

Opara and Jufaili [10] reported high incidence of fish losses as one of the major impediments to the realization of government goal towards increasing the contribution of the sector to the overall national economy. This is because post-harvest losses in fish are represented by a net reduction in the amounts of nutrients potentially available to consumers either by direct physical loss or nutritional loss [11]. It is common knowledge that shell fishes generally are more perishable than fin fishes. These factors have effect on consumer acceptability, commercial value and income of fishermen [12]. Among the sources of good quality protein food such as beef, mutton, chicken and others, fish is the most perishable [13].

Considering the many species of fish and shell fish available, the number of ways in which they may be processed, it is obvious that fishery products are prepared in various ways which may affect the nutrient value of the end product. There is therefore the need to know the nutritional value of the processed product in compares with the unprocessed ones since there is great indecision in choosing what product to consume in terms of nutritional quality. Shellfish is of much value in Rivers State and most parts of Nigeria but because it is highly perishable and some people prefer it smoked, the need to smoke dry it becomes inevitable. Proper handling and processing of fresh shrimp and oyster to reduce spoilage and post-harvest losses is very important. Hence, the aim of this study is to determine the proximate composition and heavy metal accumulation of oyster and shrimp before and after smoke drying as most processors do. This study will give information to consumers on the varying proximate composition and heavy metal accumulation of the fresh and smoked samples, so as to help them in better choice making.

The study was carried out in Buguma Creek, Rivers State which has a regular supply of oysters and shrimp from the wild where oyster and shrimp were in abundance. The Buguma Creek is located Southeast of the Niger Delta between longitude 6° 47’E and 6° 59’E, and latitude 4° 31’N and 4° 59’N in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State. The Buguma Creek system consists of the main creek channel and associated interconnecting creeks, which interconnect and surround Buguma communities [Figure 1].

The samples of shrimps (Penaeus notialis) and oysters (Crassostrea gasar) were purchased from fishers at the landing site in Buguma Creek. One kilogram of shrimps and one kilogram of oyster flesh were weighed out for the project.

Fresh oyster’s flesh was obtained by cracking open the shell with a hammer and the flesh collected with kitchen knife as done by Salah et al [14]. Five hundred grams (500g) of oyster and shrimp were transported in a labeled transparent plastic container containing ice to NAFDAC laboratory for analysis. The other portion was transported in a container containing ice for smoking in Buguma.

The smoking treatment adopted was the “hot smoke drying”. At a temperature range 40- 60°C. Shrimps were laid out on an elevated platform of wire mesh supported by a semi-circular frame work of perforated metal drum. Smoking will require low heat which will be regulated by the amount of wood used as the processors do. During smoking, after about 20 minutes the shrimps are turned upside down by

Putting another wire mesh on it and turning the mesh upside down then smoking continued for another 25 minutes until a brownish pink colour was observed. Oysters when harvested are usually attached to a substrate usually a stick so they were roasted for about 2- 4 minutes for the bivalve to open and the oyster meat was removed using kitchen knife. The oyster meat was smoked following the same smoking process as that of the shrimp described earlier, but the colour observed was brownish.

The smoked dried shrimp and oyster were further sundried to avoid clogging together as that will result in mold infestation. To achieve this, they were placed in rectangular plastic tray covered with a net to avoid flies and other insect. Samples were dried from 12 noon to 2pm with an ambient temperature and allowed to cool indoors for about one hour. The samples were then packaged separately in a labeled transparent plastic container and taken to NAFDAC Port Harcourt for analysis. The proximate compositions of the samples collected were determined following the AOAC [15] methods.

Obtained data of fresh and smoked shrimp and oyster was analyzed by expressed as mean values + standard deviation (SD). The differences between the mean values were calculated using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS statistics software and t-test (using Premier V.3.01)

Table 1 gives a summary of the proximate composition of fresh and smoked Shrimp. From the table, the values of proximate composition of Smoked oyster were higher than that of fresh oyster except moisture which was lower in smoked shrimp. Table 2 gives a summary of the proximate composition of fresh and smoked Oyster. From the table, the values of proximate composition of Smoked oyster were higher than that of fresh oyster except moisture which was lower in smoked Oyster. Table 3 shows the heavy metals content variation of fresh and smoked oyster. The results indicated an increase in Zinc, Copper, and Lead and a decrease in Cadmium after smoking. While Table 4 shows the heavy metals content variation of fresh and smoked shrimp. It is observed that copper and Cadmium content of fresh shrimp increased after smoking while Zinc and Lead decreased after smoking.

The Protein mean value of fresh shrimp sample was 26.48% as compared to dry weight of 51.17%. This value (dry weight) is comparable to Macrobrahium scariculum (56.75%) [16]. Oyster had a mean value of 56.41% after smoking which was far higher than the result gotten by Judith & Jennny [17] for Crassostrea virginica for fresh sample they arrived at 8.57% and cooked at 12.25%.based on dry weight, protein values were not significantly different (p < 0.05). This observation was due to the removal of moisture arising from the smoking process. Ash content in smoked shrimp P. notialis was 12.64% compared to the value obtained in the fresh sample of 1.64%. This result is comparable but lower than research findings by Bello [18,] for smoked dried P.notialis. In oyster according to this study, ash content increased after smoking from 2.08 to 8.35% which is similar but comparable to result by Judith & Jennny [17] who obtained 1.04% in fresh sample and 1.94 in cooked sample of Crassostrea virginica. The increase in ash content is as a result of moisture lost during the smoking process.

Moisture content from table 2 mean value for oyster is 70.27% as compared to smoked sample of 25.09%. This result is comparable but lower than result from a study done by Judith & Jenny [17] for Crassostrea virginica 82.20% fresh sample and 70.96% for cooked oyster sample. In shrimp from Table 1 the mean moisture content for shrimp was 53.37% as compared to smoked shrimp of 14.09%.The reduction of moisture of both samples was as a result of heat generated during smoking process. The result is similar but higher than research finding done by Bello [18]. Carbohydrate content in fresh and dry forms due to the research is similar and agreed with the deductions [19], which is stated low carbohydrate in marine animals was due to the fact that glycogen does not contribute much to reserves in the body. Fiber content in fresh shrimp according to the study was 1.20% compared to smoked shrimp of 4.59%. The value smoked shrimp was relatively higher and compared or similar to a work done by Shehu et al [20].

Content of heavy metals in raw and smoked shrimp and oyster in shrimp, Zn (0.11 ppm) and Pb (0.12ppm) content were generally lower after smoking in the muscle of smoked shrimp. There was no significant difference in the Lead and Zinc content between the raw and smoked shrimp. In oyster, the level of Zn and Pb increased from 0.10ppm in fresh oyster to 0.86ppm in smoked oyster for Pb from 0.20ppm in fresh oyster to 0.50ppm in smoked oyster. These values were within the WHO permissible limit which is 100ppm [21]; the reason for the reduction in Zn level after smoking could be due to evaporation in the cause of smoking. Copper and Cadmium increased in smoked shrimp from 1.04ppm to 1.13ppm and 0.09 to 0.03 respectively. The level of Copper in oyster increased from 0.98ppm in fresh sample to 1.32ppm in smoked sample and Cadmium from 0.04ppm to 0.21ppm. These values of cadmium despite the increase as a result of smoking were below the international standard of 2ppm in shell fishes [21]. Copper was above the international limit of 1ppm [21].

The general trend observed in this work is increase in nutritive qualities such as protein, lipid, fiber and carbohydrate content of shrimps and oysters as they were subjected to smoke drying method and the reverse was observed in the moisture content which significantly reduced during the smoking process. The carbohydrate and the crude fiber in both smoked shrimps and oysters were significantly low. This trend has also been reported for many species of fish, when smoke dried. The positive effect of heat intensity on the shelf life of smoked products has been reported by several researchers [22-24]. The components in the wood/charcoal via pyrolysis are broken down in the process of burning to form smoke, thus it gives the fish a unique aroma and improves its taste and colour. This is due to the presence of a range of phenolic compounds, nitrites and formaldehyde present in the smoke [24]. In view of the low levels of heavy metals got from the smoked fish samples analyzed in this study, evaluation should be carried out periodically in order to ascertain when the levels of heavy metals is above the acceptable limit, for safe consumption as these metals could be passed to humans and predispose consumers to possible health hazard associated with the consumption of these metals

The results of this study revealed that smoke drying of shrimp (Penaeus notialis) and oyster (Crassostrea gasar) the reduction in moisture content increased the nutrient value and the denaturation effect of smoking increases the level and digestibility of protein and hence the availability of some essential amino acids. It was observed that despite the changes in heavy metal composition, Zinc, Lead and cadmium were below the WHO permissible standard making them safe for consumption but copper was higher. With the above conclusion it is recommended that: Industrial waste or effluent should be treated before being discharged into the water body so as to reduce the level of heavy metals especially copper and its harm in the human body such as necrosis in the kidney and brain, gastrointestinal distress, low blood pressure etc.

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