Determination of Physical and Nutritional Losses Caused By Pests on Selected Smoked Fish Families in Benue State, Nigeria

The study determined the physical and nutritional losses caused by pests on selected smoked fish families in 3 agricultural zones of Benue state. The selected fish families were Clariidae, Protopteridae, Characidae and Mormyridae and were weighed before and after 3 months storage at the end of each quarter of the year for 2 years and were subjected to proximate analysis. In zone A, Claridae, Protopteridae, Characidae and mormyridae had weight loss of 39.00%, 32.00%, 22.00% and 15.00% respectively. In zone B Clariidae, Protopteridae, Characidae and mormyridae had 43.00, 35.50, 23.50 and 18.00% respectively while in zone C Clariidae, Protopteridae, Characidae and mormyridae had percentage weight losses of 43.00, 35.50, 25.00 and 17.50% respectively. There was no significant difference in weight loss to insect infestation for each family across the agricultural zones. For nutritional composition, infested Clariidae, Protopteridae, Characidae and mormyridae had lower protein and crude fat but higher ash and moisture contents. There was an increase in crude fibre for infested Clariidae and Characidae while uninfested and infested had Protopteridae and Mormyridae had no crude fibre. There were no significant difference, (P 0.05) in the moisture and protein. The selected fish samples had weight loss and nutritional loss in all the agricultural zones of Benue state. In conclusion smoked fish are expected loss both physical and nutritional quantity and quality if infested. The study recommended that the smoked fish should be properly stored and handled to prevent pest infestation in order to help maintain the physical and nutritional quantity and quality