Variation in Nutrient Composition of Seafood from North West Africa: Implications for Food and Nutrition Security

Abstract

Fish and seafood may play an important role for nutrition and food security as they contain essential vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. The aim of this study was to describe the nutrient composition, including fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, in commonly consumed fish species (fillet- and whole fish samples) sampled off the Northwest African coast. Furthermore, we assessed the species’ contributions to the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) values from the World Health Organization (WHO). Samples of commercially important fish species (Sardina pilchardus, Engraulis encrasicolus, Trachurus trachurus, Pagellus acarne) were collected using trawling on the R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen in May 2017 and analyzed for nutrients at the Institute of Marine Research as individual and composite samples. All the analyzed fish species were good dietary sources of several vitamins and minerals and whole fish were substantially more nutrient dense than fillet samples, especially with regard to vitamin A, iodine, zinc, calcium, and iron. Including 100 g of sardine or anchovy (whole fish) in the diet, would contribute substantially to the RNI for vitamin B12, vitamin D and vitamin A, EPA and DHA as well as the minerals iodine, zinc, and calcium. This study shows that fish consumed with skin, bone, and viscera may be very nutrient dense and important for local food and nutrition security.

Market women’s skills, constraints, and agency in supplying affordable, safe, and high-quality fish in Ghana

“…As Thilsted et al (1997) emphasized 25 years ago, consuming a variety of small fish species that when combined contained many different micronutrients, has proven to be highly beneficial for nutrition and health. A 100-g portion of raw anchovies (whole fish)-the most common species sold by the traders (Table 2)-covers the daily recommended nutrient intake of vitamins B12 (adult women), and approximately 40-60% the recommended intake of vitamin D, calcium, zinc, and the long-chained marine n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (Aakre et al 2020). Studies from Sri Lanka and north-west Africa have documented that whole fish are in general more nutrient dense than fish fillet for most nutrients; for example, a horse mackerel fillet would cover less than 10% of the daily recommended intake of calcium, zinc, iron, vitamin A, and the n-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA (Aakre et al 2020;Reksten et al 2020).…”

Multinutrient Biofortification of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Africa: Current Status, Opportunities and Limitations

“…Animal-based foods such as red meat, eggs, cheese, fish and seafood have relatively high Zn contents, where 100 g can provide up to 40% of the recommended daily Zn intake [ 73 ]. In addition to Zn, meat, fish and seafood contain bioavailable calcium, Fe, iodine, vitamin A, essential fatty acids and amino acids, including lysine and tryptophan [ 74 ]. It has been reported that 100 g of whole fish contribute significantly to the RDA for several nutrients, although nutrient composition varies with fish type, habitat and season [ 74 ].…”

“…In addition to Zn, meat, fish and seafood contain bioavailable calcium, Fe, iodine, vitamin A, essential fatty acids and amino acids, including lysine and tryptophan [ 74 ]. It has been reported that 100 g of whole fish contribute significantly to the RDA for several nutrients, although nutrient composition varies with fish type, habitat and season [ 74 ]. Plant-based foods such as chickpeas, lentils and beans also contain substantial amounts of Zn and essential amino acids [ 75 ].…”

How Safe to Eat Are Raw Bivalves? Host Pathogenic and Public Health Concern Microbes within Mussels, Oysters, and Clams in Greek Markets

“…Marine seafood has been an integral part of the human diet throughout humankind history and has been correlated since then with a healthy diet and the well-being of humans [1]. Fish and seafood play a key role in human nutrition due to their high content in essential nutrients [2]. Marine mollusk-bivalves are considered to be also a nutritious diet, as they contain high quality of protein and minerals, low lipid content, and high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) [3].…”