THE NUTRITIVE-VALUE OF SUN-DRIED PELAGIC FISH FROM THE RIFT-VALLEY INAFRICA

The small pelagic fish caught in the freshwaters of Africa are mostly sundried and used in meal preparation. They are not generally used in weaning foods. With a view to incorporating fish into weaning diets, t he nutritional quality of fish samples from the lakes along the Rift V alley in Africa was assessed. Fish are good sources of protein, ash, a nd fat. They are poor in vitamins A and E and their contribution to th e diet will depend on the amount eaten. Fish lipids are good sources o f essential fatty acids. Docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentanoic acid which are important in brain development are present in substantial a mounts. Fish is generally low in thiamine and pyridoxine but high in n iacin. The content of calcium in whole fish is very high and there are appreciable quantities of zinc and iron. The amino acid profiles are in good agreement with the FAO provisional pattern and to the requirem ents of infants. The limiting amino acid is tryptophan.