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ABSTRACT
This study determined the effects of culture facilities; (Earthen pond, Concrete tank, and Tarpaulin tank) on the nutritional value and organoleptic properties of Clarias gariepinus in Benin Metropolis. Thirty catfish samples (Ten samples from each culture facility) of average weight of 500g obtained from a reputable farm in Benin city were euthanized, eviscerated, degutted, and thoroughly washed under running water. The samples from the earthen pond, concrete tank, and tarpaulin were tagged sample A, B, and C respectively. The proximate analysis of the fresh and smoked-dried samples was done according to standard methods. Organoleptic assessment was done by trained panelists. The result reveals that C. gariepinus raised in the concrete tank had the best general acceptability in terms of appearance, texture, aroma and taste, although, there was no significant difference (P<0.05) across the samples. Proximate analyses of the fresh catfish showed that the sample raised in the tarpaulin had the highest moisture (75.13±0.66) followed by earthen pond (71.40±0.66) and concrete tank (68.56±0.66). Analyses on the smoked-dried catfish indicated that the crude protein was higher in sample A (62.04±62) immediately after smoke-drying while the least ((46.20±1.01) was from sample C after four weeks of storage under ambient temperature. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in the parameters across the samples. This study reveals that C. gariepinus raised in the tarpaulin tank has better nutritional value than those from the earthen pond and concrete tank respectively.
