Evaluation of Proximate and Heavy Metals in Twelve Edible Freshwater Macroinvertebrates of Poba Reserve Forest Assam, India.

Abstract

The present study focuses on proximate and mineral compositions on 12 freshwater edible macroinvertebrate species under phylum Arthropoda and Mollusca mostly preferred by the ethnic communities around the Poba reserve forest of Assam, India. The analysis revealed protein was the most abundant nutrient for all the species; followed by carbohydrates and fats. The highest protein content was in Lobothelphusafungosa, (50.50%), total carbohydrate in Bellamyabengalensis (22.54%) and fats in Sartorianaspinigera (16.32%). Ash, fibre and moisture were highest in Corbiculaassamensis (12.46%), Sartorianaspinigera (11.41%) and Pilaglobosa (63.72%) respectively. Among the minerals, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Manganese, and Zinc were recorded highest in Bellamyabengalensis (138.62 mg/100g) Macrobrachiumassamense (2.73 mg/100g), Sartorianaspinigera (35.02 mg/100g), Macrobrachiumassamense (11.42 mg/100g) and Lethocerusindicus (3.71 mg/100g) respectively. Heavy metals (Lead, Cadmium, Molybdenum and Mercury) were absent in all the species under study. The freshwater macroinvertebratesanalyzed could form a baseline for future non-conventional food resources of considerable nutritive value.