PROXIMATE AND HEAVY METAL COMPOSITIONS OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE FISH FEEDS IN GOMBE METROPOLIS

Abstract

This research work was carried out to investigate the proximate and some heavy metal
contents of four different fish feed samples commercially available in Gombe metropolis.
The proximate analysis was carried out according to various literatures to determine the
amount of moisture, ash, crude protein, crude lipid, crude fibre and carbohydrate. The
heavy metals were also investigated using Atomic absorption Spectrometry. The result of
proximate investigation shows moisture content of 3.17 - 7.50%; Ash content of 9.39 -
11.62%.; Crude protein content of 37.85 - 48.90%; Crude lipid of 5.00 - 13.33%; Crude
fiber content of 2.53 - 6.0% and Carbohydrate content of 21.31 - 30.78%. The heavy
metals investigated include Cu; 0.35 - 0.61μg/kg, Cr; 0.27 - 0.44μg/kg, Co; 1.15-
1.47μg/kg, Cd; 0.02-0.44μg/kg, Ni; 3.15-3.25μg/kg, Pb; 0.4-0.5μg/kg. The order of
concentrations of the heavy metals are arranged as; Ni >Co >Cu >Pb >Cr >Cd. All the
fish feed sample analyzed contain the required nutrient in the required proportion as
declared by the manufactures and the regulatory guide lines.