Biochemical Status of Small Indigenous Food Fishes

The study about the fish nutrients is an ongoing area of research in India and abroad. The nutritional value of a fish includes the biochemical analysis with respect to the proximate composition, amino acid profile, fatty acid profile, mineral and vitamin contents. Fishes are vitally proteinous food for human consumption. Many other health nutrients like fatty acids, vitamins, minerals etc. are provided by fishes. The biochemical composition of fishes are varied by the changes of environment, season, age, sex etc. Especially the small fishes are more appreciated by the rural poor people due to their ease of availability and comparatively lower price. Large popular fishes are too costly to be included in the regular diet of poor people. Owing to their high market value these have already gained importance in the field of commercialization as well as scientific investigation. Previous literatures witnessed a lot of nutritional excellence of the big fishes. But, so far the small fishes were less studied inspite of good nutritional contents possessed by them.

The Bodoland Territorial Region of Assam is blessed with myriads of riverline and beels which are highly productive ecosystems. Plenty of fishes inhibit in the rivers, ponds, beels and many other wetlands of this area. However, biochemical analysis of the nutritional value of these fishes were lesser known. The objective of writing this book is to ensure about the nutritional values of some small indigenous fishes of the study area and create an awareness about human health and nutrition in connection with consumption of such food fishes in our daily diet. The author regrets for printing mistakes (if any) and request the readers to bring them into the notice.