Journal of Scientific Research & Reports

3(2): 349-355, 2014; Article no. JSRR.2014.007

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Proximate Composition and Mineral Content of

the Land Crab Sudanonautes africanus
Fagbuaro Omotayo1*, Majolagbe Folasade Adesola 1
and Oso James Abayomi1
1
Ekiti State University, Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology,P.M.B.5363.Ado-Ekiti,
Nigeria.

Authors contributions

This research work was jointly carried out by the three authors. The activities such as the
collection of the crabs, separation into sexes and the conduct of the experiments were done
together. The statistical analysis was done by the authors FO and MFA. The searches for
literature and write-up were done by the author FO and proof-read by author OJA. All the
authors read and approved the final manuscript.

th
Received 5 April 2013
nd
Original Research Article Accepted 22 September 2013
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Published 20 November 2013

ABSTRACT

The proximate and valuable minerals were determined in freshwater crabs. Samples were
collected from male and female exoskeleton, flesh and whole body. The samples were
subjected to proximate analysis using methods recommended by the Association of
Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and with the aid of spectrophotometer for the determination
of the mineral content of the crabs. The results showed that in the exoskeleton samples,
crude protein was the highest in the male with value of 39.840.25% while in the flesh
samples, carbohydrate was the highest in the male with 41.590.27% and in the whole
body sample, and carbohydrate was the highest in the female flesh with 57.890.28%.
Nine minerals were analyzed. Sudanonautes africanus was found to be rich in Sodium,
Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus. Information on the nutrient
composition of S. africanus is needed to encourage the processing, utilization and
marketing of this commonest species of West Africa. Nutritive values recorded in this S.
africanus suggest that the species could be employed as an alternative dietary
supplement of protein and minerals.

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*Corresponding author: E-mail: omofagbuaro@yahoo.com;

 Omotayo et al.; JSRR, Article no. JSRR.2014.007

Keywords: Freshwater; Land crab; nutrition; minerals; males; females.

1. INTRODUCTION

Crabs which are the basic components of the ecosystem are the most advanced members
of the phylum Arthropoda. The freshwater crabs of Nigeria are true crabs which can be
th
distinguished from false crabs by not having 5 pair of the pereiopods totally or partly
concealed beneath the carapace, the antennae were always placed between the inner
margin of orbit and fused Pterygostomial region with endotome [1]. True crabs belong to the
Suborder Brachyura of order Decapoda under Class Crustacea. It shows the greatest size
range of all arthropods such as observed in lobsters, prawns, crayfishes, shrimps, hermit
crab and true crabs [2].

Crabs are widely distributed in the tropical and temperate regions of the world. Literature
information is scarce on the food values of most edible crabs in West Africa despite the
richness of these gastropods. Most people rate the fish higher in preference to crabs which
are considered inferior and food for the low income earners. Over 100 species of crabs are
known Worldwide with two species - Sudanonautes africanus and Cardisoma armatum
readily known to exist with economic value in West Africa; the mud crabs (Sudanonautes
africanus) found in estuaries and mangrove. S. africanus inhabits cracks and holes when
fully matured and as small individuals are found under rocks in the littoral zone. They are
highly exploited but only their fleshes are consumed [3, 4]. Animal protein is very vital in the
diet because of the various functions it performs. Fish, beef, pork and poultry products are
some of the good sources of animal protein which are used for the growth and repair of body
tissues [5]. In developing countries, the high cost of these highly valued animal proteins (i.e.
fish, beef, and poultry) has made it impossible for the less privilege to eat them. However,
lesser valued animal such as crabs may be used to cater for the protein needs of the less
privileged people [6].

Nutritive values of different crab species have been previously investigated in various parts
of the world [7,8,9,10,5,and11]. Very limited data are available on the biochemical
composition of freshwater crabs in Nigeria especially the Sudanonautes species [12 and 11].
Crabs are known to be good source of Omega 3-poly unsaturated fatty acids and other
valuable essential foods such as protein, carbohydrate, ash, and energy [13]. Crabs are
reported to be prominent sources for the provision of essential macro and micro elements
such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc.
Crabs are known to possess fewer calories than beef, pork and poultry [12,14and11].
According to [14]; a 100g portion of crabs is reported to contain 0.7g of saturated fat and 76
kilocalories while 100g of beef contained 66.9g saturated of fat and 225 kilocalories. This
study provides information on the food nutrients in crabs collected from Ifaki- Ekiti, Ekiti
State, Nigeria. It is expected that the results of this study will provide awareness concerning
the nutritional value of S. africanus and the need to use the species as food for human, food
supplement and suitable alternative for fishmeal in animal production.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Source of Materials

Sudanonautes africanus samples were collected from the bank of river Oniyo, Ifaki Ekiti,
Ekiti State, Nigeria toward the end of raining season in the year 2012. The samples were

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transported to the laboratory immediately for analyses. In the laboratory, the samples were
washed thoroughly with tap water to exclude contaminants. They were later separated into
sexes. Three pieces of complete and matured fresh crabs of each sex were selected from
total collections of 30 crabs. Two whole crabs (of each sex) were grouped into three main
parts (Exoskeleton, flesh, whole body). The internal organs were discarded; the other
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separated parts were oven dried at 105 C. The crabs were separated into parts namely
carapace and cheliped exoskeleton and muscle from the thoracic sterna and cheliped
referred to as flesh and the whole body constitute the cheliped with muscle and exoskeleton,
carapace, thoracic sternum and the other four pairs of walking legs. All were oven dried.
The whole body, exoskeleton and flesh samples were blended.

2.2 Proximate Analysis

The proximate compositions of the samples were determined using the methods
recommended by the Association of Analytical Chemists [15]. Protein content was analyzed
by the use of Micro-Kjeldahl apparatus and moisture by the difference in weight between wet
weight of the sample and weight of the sample after drying. Crude fibre content was
determined by AOAC method. Fat was determined by Soxhlet extraction while the ash

content was calculated after samples were ignited at 550 C. The carbohydrate content was
estimated by subtracting the sum of the weight of protein, fibre, and ash from the total dry
matter. All determinations were done in duplicates. Statistical analyses of the results of
males and females were determined by analysis of variance and Duncan multiple range test.

2.3 Mineral Analysis

The mineral compositions of the samples were determined by using standard methods of
o
AOAC (2000). Minerals were analyzed by dry-ashing 1g of the sample at 550 C in a furnace
and the ash was dissolved in 10% HCl. The solution was later filtered with Whatman filter
paper and made up to standard volume with dionised water. Flame photometry method
reported by AOAC (2000) was used to determine sodium and potassium contents of the
sample. Calcium, magnesium, zinc, Iron, copper, manganese were determined by Atomic
Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Phosphorus was analyzed for by using the method of
Vanado Molybate. These results were expressed in mg/100g of specimen respectively.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results of proximate analyses of male and female exoskeleton, flesh and the whole body
of S. africanus are shown in Table 1. The crude protein averaged 14.91 0.52% in the
female exoskeleton to 39.840.25% in the male exoskeleton. The values of the protein in the
male were greatly higher than that of the female in all the samples. The crude protein of the
male exoskeleton, flesh and whole body are similar to value reported for Sudananates
africanus africanus by [11] but higher than the value of 18.810.09 %- 19.555 0.001%
reported for Callinectes sapidus by [16], 33.31.20% and 14.80- 17.35% reported on
Cardisoma armatum and Paratelphusa eduntula by [6] and [17] respectively. The variations
in the values of protein among these species of crabs may relate to species specificity. The
high content of crude protein in Sudanonautes africanus support earlier findings that crab
meat can supply sufficient protein and energy in diet and that crab protein is essential for
growth, development and body defense as reported by [7,11]. Researches revealed that
crabs are useful in the transportation of gas, building of organ components and in water and
metabolic regulation of organisms [18].

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Table 1. Proximate Composition (gl100g) of the exoskeleton, flesh and whole body of male and female freshwater crabs
(dry weight)

Exoskeleton Flesh Whole body

Parameter Male Female Male Female Male Female
ME FE MF FF M (WB) F(WB)
a b a b a a
Crude Protein 39.84+0.25 14.91+0.52 32.68+0.25 17.63+0.25 22.26+0.26 19.29+0.54
a b b a b a
Crude Fat 4.24+0.02 2.36+0.01 3.29+0.01 3.21+0.81 3.50+0.02 3.19+0.02
a a a b b a
Total ash 4.55+0.01 6.22+0.01 7.42+0.14 9.88+0.01 14.99+0.03 6.95+0.02
a a b b a a
Crude fibre Moisture 6.39+0.03 11.09+0.01 5.06+0.01 2.13+0.01 6.42+0.01 6.80+0.01
a a b b b b
Carbohydrate 17.14+0.02 8.21+0.01 9.98+0.03 9.28+0.09 10.09+0.01 8.90+0.03
a a b a b b
33.85+0.25 57.24+0.54 41.59+0.27 57.89+0.28 43.75+0.21 54.89+0.52
Note: Mean values in the same row but with different superscript were significant different (P 0.05)
ME (Male Exoskeleton), FE (Female Exoskeleton), MF (Male Flesh), FF (Female Flesh) M(WB)( Male Whole body), F(WB) (Female Whole body)
a and b (Statistical difference at 0.05 level of Probability)

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The crude fat content was higher in male exoskeleton (4.240.02%) than those obtained on
flesh and whole body of both male and female samples. The distribution of fat in the
exoskeleton, flesh and whole body was similar to the results obtained by [11] on S. africanus
africanus. It is also similar to the observation in the shell and flesh of Penaeus notabilis [12].
Crabs are reported to show low calories than beef, pork and the poultry [13]. The fat content
record for exoskeleton, flesh and whole body in both male and female were low compared to
the values obtained on crab Cardisoma armatum (5.350.01%) by [6] and wax worms,
Galleria mellonella by [19]), but greater than the 0.0020.001% and 1.020 0.002%
recorded on Callinectes amnicola, by [20]. Fats are known to be essential in the diets as
they increase the palatability of foods by absorbing and retaining their flavors. Fats are also
important in the structural and biological functioning of the cells. It helps in the transportation
of nutritionally essential fat-soluble vitamins [21,22].

The ash content of Sudanonautes africanus is an indication of the mineral concentration in

the organism. The ash concentration ranged between 4.550.01percent in the male
exoskeleton to 14.920.03% in the male whole body. The values reported here are similar to
the values (4.60 in male exoskeleton to 14.92% in whole body) reported by [11] on
Sudananautes africanus africanus. The result of this study on ash content is greatly lower
than the values of 42.23 0.02% and 1.400.178%-50.87 10.01% reported on Cardisoma
armatum and Callinectes amnicola and Uca tangeri by [6] and [4] respectively. The ash
content determines mineral concentration of the species. The species may not be able to
supply all the needed minerals in the body of man.

The fibre contents of the female flesh averaged 2.310.01% while it was 11.09 0.01% in
the female exoskeleton. Fibre is known for the absorption of water as well as in the provision
of assistance to food miller during transit in the alimentary system [23].

The moisture content of S. africanus ranged between 8.210.01% in the female exoskeleton
and 11.140.02% in the male exoskeleton. This may be an advantage as regard the shelf-
life of the crabs meat.

Carbohydrate averaged 33.85 0.25% in the male exoskeleton while it averaged

57.890.28% in the female flesh. The implication of the value of carbohydrate on the flesh of
the female is that the crab flesh consist the traces of glucose, fructose, sucrose and other
mono and disaccharides [24].

The mineral composition of S. africanus is shown in the Table 2. Total numbers of nine
minerals were analyzed. For exoskeleton and flesh samples, Na, K, Ca, and Mg were more
concentrated in the female than the male. In the whole body sample, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Zn and
Fe were more concentrated in the male than the female. Also, in the table, Fe, P were
concentrated in the male exoskeleton, flesh and whole body samples. Mn was more
concentrated in the female exoskeleton and whole body samples.

Phosphorus (P) recorded the highest value of 265.210.11/100g in the female whole body
sample while female flesh had the least value (158.200.01/100g.The values were
significantly different (P0.05). Phosphorus was distantly followed by potassium with the
highest value in female flesh (38.730.03/100g). Na, K, Mg, Fe and Mn were predominant
elements in the flesh of both male and female. Cu was not detected. The concentration of
minerals of male and female crab samples can be influenced by a number of factors such as
seasonal and biological differences such as size, age, sex, and sexual maturity, but; the
samples for this research work are adult crabs. Also, food sources and environmental factors

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such as water parameter also influence the concentration of minerals in male and female
crab samples.

Table 2. Mineral composition (mg/100g) of the exoskeleton, flesh and whole body of
male and female freshwater crabs

Parameter Exoskeleton Flesh Whole body

Male Female Male Female Male Female
Na 18.100.01a 26.350.01 a 30.140.11 a 35.21 0.01b 25.980.01 a 21. 670.01 a
K 20.330.01 a 22.520.02 a 35.210.01 a 38.730.03 b 29.850.01 a 16.380.01a
a
Ca 22.150.01 23.560.01 a 23.520.01 a
28.680.10 a 34.110.02 b
30.200.02a
Mg 21.650.10 a 22.35 0.01 a 30.200.20 b 29.520.11 a 28.520.11 a 23.450.10a
Zn 5.310.01 a 5.220.01 a 8.140.01 a 8.020.01 a 9.870.01 b 7.830.01 a
Fe 8.360.02 a 5.690.01 a 12.300.12 b 8.120.01 a 9.760.01 a 8.030.01 a
Cu ND ND ND ND ND ND
Mn 0.490.01 a 0.620.01 a 1.220.01 a 0.740.01 a 0.410.01 a 0.820.01 a
a
P 237.030.20 182.000.10 a 170.110.10 a
158.200.01 a 250.120.12 b
265.210.11 b
Note: Mean values in the same row but with different superscript were significant different (P 0.05)
ND = Not detected

S. africanus is rich in trace elements thus it would be desirable for healthy functioning of the
body and as good supplements in food of those with deficiencies. It could as well be used as
additives in animal feed production and a possible replacement to fishmeal.

4. CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained in this study showed that both male and female S.africanus are
nutritious and are rich in the essential elements such as Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe and P when
compared with recommended daily requirements in the Food and Nutrition Board National
Council. With these results on S. africanus; it can be employed as a supplement of protein
and mineral composition so as to augment the human nutritional requirements. The species
could also be used in the formulation of well balanced animals feed

COMPETING INTERESTS

Authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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