Effect of Moisture content on the drying rate using traditional open sun and shade drying of fish from Njuwa Lake in NorthEastern Nigeria

Abstract

In this study, fish samples namely, Tilapia zilli, Clarias geriepinus, Synodontis ocellifer and Alestes baremose were obtained from Njuwa Lake, Yola Adamawa State. Moisture content and other proximate composition was analyzed using methods of open sun drying (40-42 0 c) and shade drying 30-32 0 c respectively. Results showed that the values reported for moisture, crude fibre, crude lipid, crude protein, ash and carbohydrate were ranged between 4.72-7.63, 3.02 + 0.23, 7.13 + 0.23, 59.26 + 0.35, 1.61 + 0.01 and 0.3 for Tilapia zilli, while values of 4.39-8.21, 2.61 + 0.06, 7.24 + 0.06, 64.32 + 1.25, 1.86 + 0.03 and 0.08 are for dried Clarias geriepinus respectively. Also values of Synodontis ocellifer were 3.90-7.10, 3.62 + 0.05, 6.52 + 0.13, 55.99 + 0.33, 0.99 + 0.01 and 0.1 respectively. While values of 4.41-7.32, 2.91 + 0.04, 8.23 + 0.05, 55.31 + 0.25, 1.96 + 0.04 and 0.2 are for Alestes baremose fish species. Moisture content observed is as follows: Clarias geriepinus > Tilapia zilli > Alestes baremose > Synodontis ocellifer.