Effect of Drying Medium on Proximate and Mineral Composition of Croaker Fish peculiar to the Coastline of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The study investigated the nutritional composition of dried croaker (p. typus) fish from the coastline of Eastern Obolo, Ibeno, Ikot Abasi, and Mkpat Enin Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, in Southern Nigeria. It compared the quality of fish dried in a traditional roadside dryer commonly used by local fish vendors with that of fish dried in an active solar dryer designed for agricultural products. The results revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the proximate composition of the fish from the two drying methods. The ash content, crude fiber, and lipid were higher in the conventionally dried samples compared to the products from the solar dryer. Furthermore, the protein content was slightly higher in the products from the active solar dryer (47.67±0.17 %) than in those from the conventional dryer (43.33±0.19 %). These findings suggest that the product from the active solar dryer may help reduce the risk of high blood pressure and promote a healthier diet. Carbohydrate levels were higher in the samples from the conventional roadside dryer (4.13±0.02 %) than in the products from the solar dryer (3.74±0.03 %). The energy level was also higher in the solar-dried samples (3.74±0.03 %) compared to those from the conventional dryer (430.33±0.34 Kcal). These differences were attributed to factors such as exposure of the product to impurities and the nature of the drying medium. Additionally, the study found that the macro elements (Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulphur) were present in higher concentrations in products from the conventional dryer than in those from the active solar dryer. The mineral composition of the samples from the two methods also exhibited significant differences (p < 0.05). The study recommended the consumption of these products based on their low toxic levels.