Journal of Molluscan Research, (JMR) Volume 9, 2022
* Adelakun, K. M. Ibrahim, A. O., Joshua D. A., and Mohammed, H. L
ABSTRACT
This study investigated nutrient compositions and also estimated the extent of heavy metals accumulation in freshwater mussels Aspatharia sinuata tissues collected from Kainji Lake Lower Basin. Proximate composition was analyzed following standard methods of AOAC, while mineral contents including Ca, Mg, P, Na, K, Mn, Fe, Cu Zn, and heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Co, Cd and Cr) were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric (AAS) method. Results revealed that protein (34.35±1.31%) was the highest proximate constituents of the freshwater mussel tissues from Kainji Lake Lower Basin. This was followed by ash content (23.24±1.78%) while crude fat range was 4.67-6.77 %. The average values of 4.72±0.43%, 19.86±0.30% and 12.02±0.19% were recorded for crude fibre, carbohydrate and moisture contents respectively.
The -1 freshwater mussel tissues also contained high concentration of Ca at 69.50±5.00 mg g and considerable concentrations of Mg, P, Na, K, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn. Freshwater -1 mussel in the study exhibited very high level of Ni at a mean of 55.80±3.50 µg g . Chromium was not detected in the samples. This study revealed that nutrient status of freshwater mussel (A. sinuata) from the Kainji Lake Lower Basin is good for maintaining healthy nutritional diet for the local people. However, levels of Ni could pose a toxic risk to man as consumers of these aquatic resources.
Keywords: bioconcentration, freshwater mussels, heavy metals, nutrient, permissible limits
