Abstract

Callianassa turnerana, called Cameroon ghost shrimps is shrimp with a great sociocultural interest in Cameroon. This study assessed proximate composition and micronutrients contents of Callianassa turnerana from the Wouri estuary in Cameroon. Adult shrimps were collected. The proximate composition, mineral, carotenoids and vitamin E contents were determined in edible parts (male and female) and in eggs of C. turnerana using official analytical methods. One way ANOVA and Fisher’s post hoc PLS test was used to analyze the data. The moisture content were 66±1.5%, 62 ±2.85%, 49.0 ±1.60% in edible parts of male, female and in eggs respectively. Protein contents were high in all the samples ranging from 10.49±0.92% in male edible parts to 30.06±0.89% in eggs. Lipid contents were more than 12% in all samples. Carbohydrate were absent in eggs while the contents were 9.92±0.99% in male and 12.23±0.81% in female edible parts. C. turnerana is a good source of minerals. Sodium (0.983±0.001%- 1.656±0.005%) and Phosphorus (0.974±0.002%-1.321±0.002%) were the main macro elements in all samples. Zn was the major microelement in edible parts with the value ranged from 6.43±0.49mg/100g (male) to 7.62±0.35mg/100g (female) while Cu was the major microelement (10.15±3.57mg/100g) in eggs. High levels of total carotenoids (7.9-15.45µg/g) and vitamin E (12.53-24.03µg/g) were recorded. The main carotenoids were β-caroten (0.637-1.337µg/g) followed by α-caroten (0.216-0.437µg/g). C. turnerana is a good source of many major nutrients and micronutrients and could be used to combat malnutrition and improve health.

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