Phytochemicals, minerals and heavy metal contents of smoked catfish samples sold in some abattoirs in Bayelsa and rivers state

This study investigated the phytochemicals, minerals, and heavy metal content of smoked catfish. Smoked catfish were randomly purchased from people carrying out fish smoking activities within the selected abattoirs. Calcium, potassium, sodium, and magnesium were the minerals analysed, while heavy metals like Hg, Ni, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, and Cd were assayed in catfish using the A.P.H.A. analytical methods. The phytochemicals were screened using the A.O.A.C. method. The mean ranges of catfish phytochemicals are as follows: phenols: 0.260.15-0.850.26, tannins: 0.00290.005 to 0.00430.00, oxalate: 0.00110.001 to 0.00130.006, and saponins: 0.200.0.000 to 0.580.0.015. Catfishes had an average mineral range of (Ca: 566.67-995.83, Mg: 374.66-446.09, Na: 1961.13-5642.4, and K: 4,794.70-9,421.63) mg/kg. The results of the heavy metal content are: Zn (20.39-28.75 mg/kg), Pb (0.23-0.54 mg/kg), Cu (0.82-1.72 mg/kg), Cd (0.72-0.08 mg/kg), and Cr (0.8-6.0 mg/kg). Heavy metals like Hg and Ni were undetected in all samples. Numerous factors, including the physico-chemical parameters of the water from which the catfish were harvested; the composition of aquaculture feeds; environmental factors; and the varying smoking procedures employed in the handling of the fish, may have altered the amounts of phytochemicals, minerals, and heavy metals recorded in the samples, resulting in the wide range of results obtained in this study. Nevertheless, the presence of heavy metals in processed foods raises concerns about public health issues if they accumulate in the body over time.