Comparative Analysis of the Nutritive Value of Smoked, Dried Procambarus clarkii (Freshwater Crayfish) from Three Nigerian States

The nutritive value of smoked, dried Procambarus clarkii sourced from Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Lagos states of Nigeria were evaluated and compared. The proximate composition of the crayfish samples were determined using official methods of analysis, mineral composition were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and the amino acid composition were analysed using Amino Acid Analyser. The proximate composition of the crayfish samples from three different locations (Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Rivers states) such as moisture, crude protein, crude fat and ash contents showed significant difference (p<0.05) across the selected locations while crude fibre and carbohydrate content showed no significant difference (p<0.05) across the selected locations. The amino acids composition gave the crayfish sample from Akwa Ibom state as the richest source of essential amino acids. The mineral contents of the crayfish samples such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese and calcium showed significant difference (p<0.05) across the selected locations while calcium, zinc and sodium contents showed no significant difference (p<0.05) across the selected locations. Comparing their nutrient component, smoked, dried P. Clarkia from Awka Ibom state possess the richest nutritive value.