Nutrient and anti-nutrient composition of processed crayfish (Atya gabonensis) from river Benue, Nigeria.

The species of crayfish  identified as (Atya gabonensis) along River Benue Nigeria and were captured and analyzed for nutrient and antinutrient content including, proximate composition (crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, and moisture content), as well as vitamin A, Vitamin B components, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, vitamin E, Vitamin K and select mineral concentrations. Additionally, some important antinutrients in crayfish were also examined. The proximate composition showed that moisture content was (9.54%), protein was (7.46%), Crude fibre was (5.60%), fat was (1.57%) and ash was (2.47%) respectively. This was found to be rich in protein and considerably high amount of moisture content. The anti-nutrient composition analysis revealed the presence of Saponin (0.471mg/100g), Alkaloid (3.905mg/100g), flavonoid (0.675mg/100g), tannin (0.017mg/100g), Phytate (0.060mg/100g), Oxalate (0.005mg/100g) and others, all of which are below toxic level. For mineral and vitamin compositions, potassium was significantly (P>0.05) higher than iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus while vitamin C was (4.920mg/100g) which is higher than all other vitamins evaluated. Based on these findings crayfish (Atya gabonensis) is recommended for consumption and for further investigation as a potential raw material for the  pharmaceutical industry.Keywords: Atya gabonensis, Nutrient, Anti nutrient, River Benue,composition