Nutritional values of Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758), Walking Catfish

Abstract

Fish meat has great flavor, nutritional values, competitive lesser price. Fish meat comprises of minerals, vitamin, healthy fats, protein, and small amount carbohydrates, these constituents make the fish a good healthy diet and fish meat can be easily digested also. The demand for fish for human consumption is increasing. Fisheries and aquaculture play an important role in the improving human nutrition and food security. Fishes have more nutrition than plant-based food.  Fishes are also more efficient from other animal food sources in converting food into nutritious food. Fish contributes important and healthy part of the human diet which contains good amount of protein, fats, vitamins and minerals, etc. Fish has a lot of food potential; therefore, fish can be used to overcome malnutrition in developing countries especially.  Proximate composition is being utilized as an indicator for the quality of fish. Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758) the Asian catfish commonly known as walking catfish is a highly valued endemic to India which is now in severe decline in the majority of its natural habitat. Clarias batrachus is one of the important local food fish, this fish has been used in traditional medicine also. It possesses therapeutic significance and its demand is high, especially in North East India. Clarias batrachus contains high protein, vitamins and minerals and it is a rich source of poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA).