Journal of Aquatic Food Product Technology

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Nutritional Status of Crossocheilus latius latius

(Hamilton, 1822) and Garra lamta (Hamilton, 1822)
from Alaknanda River of Central Himalaya

Sharali Sharma & Deepak Singh

To cite this article: Sharali Sharma & Deepak Singh (2020): Nutritional Status of Crossocheilus
latius�latius (Hamilton, 1822) and Garra lamta (Hamilton, 1822) from Alaknanda River of Central
Himalaya, Journal of Aquatic Food Product Technology, DOI: 10.1080/10498850.2020.1737999

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/10498850.2020.1737999

Published online: 23 Mar 2020.

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JOURNAL OF AQUATIC FOOD PRODUCT TECHNOLOGY
https://doi.org/10.1080/10498850.2020.1737999

Nutritional Status of Crossocheilus latius latius (Hamilton, 1822)

and Garra lamta (Hamilton, 1822) from Alaknanda River of Central
Himalaya
Sharali Sharma and Deepak Singh
Freshwater Biodiversity Laboratory, Department of Zoology and Biotechnology, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar
(Garhwal), India

ABSTRACT KEYWORDS
Crossocheilus latius latius and Garra lamta are commonly found in the Freshwater fishes;
Alaknanda River and its tributaries, and are consumed by local inhabitants. herbivorous; lipid;
The present investigation was aimed to determine the chemical composi- macroelements; protein;
tion and nutritional status of these fishes, so that priority can be given to trace elements
their consumption. The fish samples were collected from the major
Himalayan river, Alaknanda, and its tributary with the help of local fisher-
men. Total soluble protein and carbohydrate contents were found to be
highest during the summer season, with 24.03% and 2.34%, respectively, in
Crossocheilus latius latius, and 24.28% and 2.21%, respectively, in Garra
lamta. Total moisture content and lipid content were found to be highest
during the monsoon season in both C. latius latius (75.50% and 2.62%,
respectively) and G. lamta (75.06% and 2.44%, respectively). Calcium and
iron were found to be the dominant mineral elements in fish tissue. No
significant difference was found between C. latius latius and G. lamta with
respect to chemical constituents and trace elements. However, macroele-
ments showed a significant difference, indicating C. latius latius to be rich in
Ca and K, while G. lamta was a good source of Na content. Trace elements
were recorded below the highest permissible limit of Food and Agriculture
Organization; hence, the fish are recommended safe and healthy for human
consumption.

Introduction
The quality of fish can be determined by their chemical composition. The main constituents of fish
muscle include protein, lipid, carbohydrates, moisture, and mineral elements. These chemical
constituents vary within individuals of the same species and between different species and thus
depend on age of fish, sex of individuals, environmental conditions, and seasons (Love 1970; Stansby
1962). The chemical composition of fish is closely related to the food intake, migration performed by
the fish, and sexual changes related to spawning (Kor 1995). Aquatic animal food is also rich in
macroelements, including sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), phosphorus
(P), and trace elements, including iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu). Macroelements
are essential to human health and perform functions in biological systems, but trace elements are
involved in normal tissue metabolism and thus help in maintaining the health of human body
(Kumaran et al. 2012). Among the macroelements, K has its role in nerve and muscle conduction,
and Na regulates production of adrenaline hormones, electrolytes, nerves, and muscle conduction
(Soetan et al. 2010). The trace element Fe is involved in eliminating the incidence of anemia, which
results in poor mental health in children, reduces work ability, alters immune functions, and

CONTACT Deepak Singh [email protected] Freshwater Biodiversity Laboratory, Department of Zoology and
Biotechnology, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar (Garhwal), Uttarakhand 246174, India.
© 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
2 S. SHARMA AND D. SINGH

increases the risk of maternal mortality (Camara et al. 2007). Proper intake of Zn eliminates
childhood illness, increases physical mobility, and reduces mortality in children (Bhan et al. 2001).
Although fish have appropriate amounts of mineral elements, it is necessary to explore the range of
these macroelements and trace elements in order to utilize them in our daily diet.
Chemical studies are important for determining the nutritional status of fish. Crossocheilus latius
latius and Garra lamta are bottom-dwelling fish species of the Alaknanda River. Both are herbivor-
ous, detritophagic, and bottom-feeding. Local inhabitants rarely prefer these fish species compared
to the more dominant Schizothorax species found in the Himalayan rivers. C. latius latius and
G. lamta are commonly present year-round in the Himalayan rivers, but local inhabitants are not
aware of their nutritional status. Further, no literature is available regarding variation in nutritional
quality (macroelements and trace elements) of these two fish species from Central Himalayan
streams. Thus, the two species were selected for the present study. Determining the nutritional
status of these fishes could help support their inclusion as a food source.
Fish are exposed to environmental conditions that result in changes in their feed composition and
affect their proximate composition (Olsen and Skjervold 1995). The Himalayan rivers experience
changing environmental conditions such as frequent flash floods; hence, the quality and quantity of
food fluctuates in different months of the year and affects the nutritional quality and health of fish.
Therefore, there is a need to study the monthly/seasonal variations in chemical composition and
nutritional status of Crossocheilus latius latius and Garra lamta collected from the Alaknanda River
of Central Himalaya. On the basis of the nutritional status of these fish, priority could be given to
their consumption, augmentation, and management.

Materials and methods

Collection of samples
The fish samples of selected fish species were procured from local fishermen in fresh condition from
the Alaknanda River (latitude: 30°13′30.10″ N; longitude: 78°47′33″ E) and its tributary, Lastar Gad
(latitude: 30°21′05″ N; longitude: 78°58′15″ E), of Central Himalaya. A total of 60 samples of each
fish species were collected for a period of 1 year (October 2016– September 2017) at monthly
intervals. The collected samples were immediately transported to the laboratory in fresh condition,
and essential measurements were taken.

Chemical and mineral analysis

The fish samples were thoroughly washed with running tap water and identified with the help of the
standard keys of Day (1878), Jhingran (1982), Talwar and Jhingran (1991), and Jayaram (2002). Fish
samples were degutted and stored frozen until analyses. Five replicates were used for biochemical
analysis and three for mineral analysis. One gram muscle tissue was taken, to which 10 mL
phosphate buffer was added. The mixture was homogenized and centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 20
min, and then the supernatant/sample solution was collected. This sample solution was used for total
soluble protein and carbohydrate determination. Protein content was estimated by Lowry’s method
(Lowry et al. 1951). Sample solution (0.3 mL) was collected in a test tube and made up to 1 mL by
adding distilled water. Then, 5 mL of copper reagent was added, shook properly, and incubated for
10 min at room temperature. To this solution, 1 mL Folin's reagent was added and incubated at
room temperature for 30 min for the development of blue color. Absorbance was measured at
720 nm in a spectrophotometer (Labindia UV3000+, UV-VIS Spectrophotometer), and concentra-
tion was determined. Bovine serum albumin was used to make a standard curve for calculations.
Total lipid content was estimated by Folch’s method (Folch et al. 1954) against olive oil as
a standard. Then, 250 mg of muscle tissue was extracted with 6 mL of 3:1 alcohol–ether mixture
into a test tube and kept at 65°C in a water bath for 2 h, followed by cooling, centrifugation at
 JOURNAL OF AQUATIC FOOD PRODUCT TECHNOLOGY 3

3,000 rpm for 30 min, and supernatant collection. To 0.1 mL tissue extract, 0.1 mL distilled water,
and 0.1 mL working standard (olive oil), 2 mL conc. H2SO4 was added in separate test tubes,
followed by heating in a boiling water bath for 10 min. After cooling, 2.5 mL of phosphovanillin
reagent was added and incubated at 37°C for 15 min. Absorbance was read at 540 nm using
spectrophotometer. Total carbohydrate content was determined by phenol sulphuric acid method
(Dubois et al. 1956). Sample solution (0.5 mL) was taken in a test tube and made up to 1 mL by
adding distilled water. To this, 5 mL of conc. H2SO4 was added; the mixture was shaken well and
incubated for 40 min at room temperature, followed by addition of 1 mL phenol. Absorbance was
measured at 490 nm in a spectrophotometer. Glucose was used as a standard for calculations.
Protein, carbohydrate, and lipid concentration were calculated as g/g muscle tissue, and data were
converted into percentage values. The total moisture content was determined by drying a known
weight (1 g) of fish tissue in a hot air oven at 105°C for 24 h, and the difference in weight before and
after drying represented the amount of moisture present. The results were expressed in percentage of
wet weight of tissue (AOAC 2000).
Weight of wet material  Weight of dry material
Moisture value ð%Þ ¼  100
Weight of wet material
Mineral content was estimated at Anacon Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. (Nagpur, India). Approximately,
0.5–0.6 g of muscle tissue samples underwent digestion using 1:3 HCl and HNO3 in a closed
digestion system at 150°C for about 1–2 h until completely digested (AOAC 2000). Samples were
allowed to cool, then filtered, and the volume of filtrate was made up to 100 mL in a volumetric flask
using Millipore water. Then, the samples were allowed to run on instrument ICP-OES (Thermo
Scientific, iCAP 6000 Series), and the quantity of minerals was determined.

Statistical analysis
The data obtained were divided into three seasons: summer season (March–June), monsoon season
(July–October), and winter season (November–February). Data were expressed as mean ± SD. The
statistical analysis of data (mean, standard deviation, t-test, analysis of variance) was performed with
the help of the data analysis tool pack in MS-Excel 2007 and PAST version 2.10.

Results
Chemical composition
The water content forms the major component of chemical constituents. The monthly percentage of
total moisture content of C. latius latius and G. lamta is represented in Table 1. The moisture
content of C. latius latius ranged from 61.5% to 78.82%, while it ranged from 66.32% to 77.50% in
G. lamta. The highest moisture content (78.82 ± 2.00%) was found in the month of September in
C. latius latius, while it was minimum (61.50 ± 2.16%) in the month of April. For G. lamta, the
highest moisture (77.50 ± 0.41%) was recorded in the month of August and the lowest
(66.32 ± 0.66%) in the month of May. Seasonally, the moisture content was found to be highest at
75.50 ± 2.70% and 75.06 ± 1.73% in the tissue of C. latius latius and Garra lamta, respectively,
during monsoon season (Table 2). However, it was found to be lowest at 67.99 ± 5.63 and
69.64 ± 2.31 in the tissue of both the fish species, respectively, during the summer season.
A significant difference (F = 8.486, p = 0.0085) was found in average moisture contents among
different seasons in Garra lamta. However, the difference in average moisture content was not
significant (F = 2.758, p = 0.116) in C. latius latius among the three seasons.
Total soluble protein content ranged from 9.87% to 31.53% in C. latius latius and 10.92% to 30.82% in G.
lamta, with the highest in the month of July and lowest in January (Table 1). A slight variation was found in
the average protein contents between both the species (Table 2). C. latius latius was found to contain
4 S. SHARMA AND D. SINGH

Table 1. Monthly variations (%) in the chemical composition of C. latius latius and G. lamta.
Total moisture Total soluble protein Total lipid Total carbohydrates
(mean ± SD) (mean ± SD) (mean ± SD) (mean ± SD)
C. latius C. latius C. latius C. latius
Months latius G. lamta latius G. lamta latius G. lamta latius G. lamta
October 75.38 ± 0.70 74.94 ± 2.47 17.00 ± 0.85 17.78 ± 0.16 1.59 ± 0.03 1.40 ± 0.05 2.62 ± 0.19 1.65 ± 0.26
November 75.88 ± 0.69 76.18 ± 1.96 18.90 ± 1.33 21.56 ± 3.42 1.32 ± 0.06 1.61 ± 0.03 1.39 ± 0.08 1.46 ± 0.18
December 76.00 ± 1.99 76.72 ± 1.97 12.40 ± 0.89 11.71 ± 0.63 1.33 ± 0.03 1.29 ± 0.03 1.54 ± 0.48 1.32 ± 0.05
January 65.86 ± 0.89 74.52 ± 1.07 9.87 ± 1.02 10.92 ± 0.20 1.45 ± 0.10 1.31 ± 0.17 1.49 ± 0.08 1.45 ± 0.09
February 71.72 ± 1.50 71.80 ± 0.83 17.25 ± 0.82 18.97 ± 1.12 2.26 ± 0.05 2.16 ± 0.09 1.79 ± 0.15 1.77 ± 0.15
March 74.24 ± 1.14 69.84 ± 1.16 20.98 ± 1.09 21.83 ± 1.23 1.56 ± 0.05 1.60 ± 0.03 2.51 ± 0.11 2.58 ± 0.12
April 61.50 ± 2.16 71.48 ± 0.45 31.53 ± 0.96 26.83 ± 1.62 1.86 ± 0.06 1.96 ± 0.03 2.17 ± 0.10 1.96 ± 0.13
May 65.46 ± 3.31 66.32 ± 0.66 18.97 ± 2.69 24.48 ± 0.34 2.47 ± 0.04 2.78 ± 0.05 2.32 ± 0.04 2.13 ± 0.13
June 70.76 ± 0.65 70.90 ± 0.43 24.65 ± 0.26 24.76 ± 0.19 3.09 ± 0.11 3.08 ± 0.24 2.34 ± 0.07 2.16 ± 0.04
July 72.20 ± 2.04 74.28 ± 0.60 29.87 ± 0.81 30.82 ± 0.30 3.90 ± 0.18 3.60 ± 2.49 2.38 ± 0.12 2.26 ± 0.16
August 75.58 ± 0.48 77.50 ± 0.41 22.03 ± 0.84 23.23 ± 0.70 2.79 ± 0.16 2.50 ± 0.38 1.88 ± 0.08 2.13 ± 0.06
September 78.82 ± 2.00 73.50 ± 0.32 21.88 ± 1.85 21.79 ± 2.40 2.18 ± 0.03 2.26 ± 0.04 1.92 ± 0.09 2.20 ± 0.09
The difference in chemical composition between the two species is not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Table 2. Seasonal variations (mean ± SD) in the chemical composition of C. latius latius and G. lamta.
Seasons Summer Monsoon Winter
Chemical parameters C. latius latius G. lamta C. latius latius G. lamta C. latius latius G. lamta
Total moisture (%) 67.99a ± 5.63 69.64a ± 2.31 75.50c ± 2.70 75.06c ± 1.73 72.37b ± 4.77 74.81c ± 2.21
Total soluble protein (%) 24.03b ± 5.52 24.28b ± 2.05 22.70b ± 5.32 23.40b ± 5.46 14.61a ± 4.19 15.79a ± 5.28
Total lipid (%) 2.24b ± 0.68 2.35b ± 0.69 2.62b ± 0.99 2.44b ± 0.91 1.59a ± 0.45 1.59a ± 0.41
Total carbohydrate (%) 2.34c ± 0.14 2.21c ± 0.26 2.20b ± 0.36 2.06b ± 0.28 1.55a ± 0.17 1.50a ± 0.19
Values with different superscripts in a row varied significantly (p < 0.05).

highest protein content during summer (24.03 ± 5.52%), followed by monsoon (22.7 ± 5.32%) and winter
seasons (14.61 ± 4.19%). A similar trend was observed in G. lamta, with the highest protein accumulation
(24.28 ± 2.05%) in summer, medium (23.40 ± 5.46%) in monsoon, and lowest (15.79 ± 5.28%) in winter
seasons. A significant difference (F = 4.347, p = 0.048) was found in average protein content in Garra lamta
among the three seasons. However, the difference in C. latius latius was insignificant (F = 4.084, p = 0.055).
The monthly variation of lipid content in C. latius latius and G. lamta is represented in Table 1.
Maximum lipid content in C. latius latius and G. lamta (3.90 ± 0.18% and 3.60 ± 2.49%, respectively)
was found in the month of July in both fish species, while it was minimum (1.32 ± 0.06% and
1.29 ± 0.03%, respectively) in the month of November in C. latius latius and December in G. lamta.
In C. latius latius, the highest lipid content (2.62 ± 0.99%) was found in monsoon season, followed
by summer (2.24 ± 0.68%) and winter seasons (1.59 ± 0.45%). A similar trend of lipid content being
highest (2.44 ± 0.91%) in monsoon season, medium (2.35 ± 0.69%) in summer season, and lowest
(1.59 ± 0.41%) in winter season was found in G. lamta (Table 2). However, differences in average
value of lipid were found to be insignificant among the seasons for both C. latius latius and G. lamta
(F = 1.970, p = 0.195 and F = 1.779, p = 0.223, respectively).
The total carbohydrate content ranged from 1.39 ± 0.08% to 2.62 ± 0.19% in C. latius latius, with
the highest value in the month of October and lowest in November. However, for G. lamta, it ranged
from 1.32 ± 0.05% to 2.58 ± 0.12%, with the highest in the month of March and lowest in December
(Table 1). Seasonally, maximum carbohydrate content (2.34 ± 0.14%) was recorded during the
summer season, followed by monsoon (2.20 ± 0.36%) and winter seasons (1.55 ± 0.17%) for
C. latius latius (Table 2). A similar trend was observed in G. lamta, with the highest value
(2.21 ± 0.26%) in the summer season and lowest (1.50 ± 0.19%) in the winter season. C. latius
latius was recorded to have higher carbohydrate content than G. lamta in all three seasons.
Seasonally, the total carbohydrate content was found to vary significantly in C. latius latius
(F = 11.894, p = 0.003) and Garra lamta (F = 1.779, p = 0.223).
 JOURNAL OF AQUATIC FOOD PRODUCT TECHNOLOGY 5

Mineral composition
Fish are also a source of important mineral elements, including macroelements (required in large
quantity) and trace elements (required in low quantity). A total of seven mineral elements were
selected for the present study. Seasonal variations in the macroelements (sodium, potassium, and
calcium) and trace elements (iron, zinc, lead, and copper) analyzed from the body tissue of C. latius
latius and G. lamta are given in Table 3.
The amount of Na was found to be maximum (151.67 ± 12.58 mg/100 g) during monsoon season,
followed by summer (117.25 ± 7.29 mg/100 g) and winter seasons (106.67 ± 0.57 mg/100 g) in
C. latius latius. A similar trend was observed for G. lamta, with maximum concentration
(179.00 ± 1 mg/100 g) in monsoon season and minimum (118.67 ± 1.53 mg/100 g) in winter
season. Ca content was recorded to be maximum with 535.33 ± 5.03 mg/100 g and
441.33 ± 12.06 mg/100 g during monsoon season and minimum with 473.33 ± 15.28 mg/100 g
and 366.67 ± 5.77 mg/100 g during winter season in C. latius latius and G. lamta, respectively.
A similar pattern with respect to K concentration was observed in both fish species with highest
concentration (371.67 ± 10.41 mg/100 g and 306.33 ± 15.18 mg/100 g) in monsoon season, followed
by summer (353.57 ± 20.45 mg/100 g and 260.00 ± 10 mg/100 g) and winter season
(320.00 ± 4.36 mg/100 g and 222.67 ± 6.43 mg/100 g) for C. latius latius and G. lamta, respectively.
When comparing both the fish species with respect to macroelements, Na was observed to be higher
in G. lamta than in C. latius latius. Na also had similar concentration during monsoon season in
both fish species. However, Ca and K accumulation was recorded to be high in C. latius latius during
all three seasons. A significant difference (F = 492.172, p = 3.31E-20 and F = 128.05, p = 1.57E-13)
was observed in the studied macroelements among the three seasons in both the fish species.
A significant difference was also observed in Ca (t = 16.691, p = 1.68E-07), K (t = 14.670,
p = 4.58E-07), and Na (t = −4.879, p = 0.001) between C. latius latius and G. lamta.
A total of four trace elements were analyzed from the muscle tissue of selected fish species. Iron
content was found in higher amount (17.50 ± 2.29 mg/100 g; 19.00 ± 1.00 mg/100 g) during monsoon
season, followed by summer (11.31 ± 0.94 mg/100 g; 15.67 ± 3.79 mg/100 g) and winter season
(10.67 ± 1.151 mg/100 g; 10.00 ± 0 mg/100 g) in C. latius latius and G. lamta, respectively. Zinc
concentration was recorded to be highest (4.675 ± 0.283 mg/100 g; 3.723 ± 0.29 mg/100 g) in winter
season, followed by summer (2.333 ± 0.58 mg/100 g; 3.00 ± 1 mg/100 g) and monsoon season
(1.715 ± 0.03 mg/100 g; 2.333 ± 0.58 mg/100 g) in C. latius latius and G. lamta, respectively. However,
high values of Pb content were recorded during summer season in C. latius latius (0.349 ± 0.03 mg/100 g)
and G. lamta (0.358 ± 0.02 mg/100 g), while low amounts, 0.112 ± 0.001 mg/100 g and 0.111 ± 0.001 mg/
100 g, were observed during monsoon season in C. latius latius and G. lamta, respectively. Pb was not
detected in C. latius latius during winter season. The accumulation of Cu was recorded to be highest
(0.755 ± 0.03 mg/100 g, 0.811 ± 0.01 mg/100 g) during summer season and lowest (0.411 ± 0.07 mg/100 g,
0.547 ± 0.20 mg/100 g) during winter season in C. latius latius and G. lamta, respectively. Fe and Zn were
recorded to be highest in G. lamta during summer and monsoon season, but during winter season more
accumulation was observed in C. latius latius. Pb accumulation was similar in both C. latius latius and
G. lamta during monsoon season, but during summer and winter seasons, it was higher in G. lamta. Cu
was higher in G. lamta than C. latius latius. Significant differences were found in the studied trace
elements among the three seasons for C. latius (F = 91.741, p = 8.42E-16) and G. lamta (F = 85.076,
p = 2.46E-15). Fe (t = −1.18771, p = 0.35688), Zn (t = −0.20877, p = 0.853961), Cu (t = −2.34737,
p = 0.143441), and Pb (t = −1.607, p = 0.147) did not differ significantly between C. latius latius and
G. lamta in all three seasons.

Discussion
Fish is known for its high protein content and is made of easy digestible essential amino acids. After
digestion and assimilation, protein is incorporated into the muscle tissue of fish (Dabhade et al. 2009).
 6
S. SHARMA AND D. SINGH

Table 3. Seasonal variations (mean ± SD) in the mineral composition (macroelements and trace elements) of C. latius latius and G. lamta.
Seasons Summer Monsoon Winter
Mineral elements Fishes C. latius latius G. lamta C. latius latius G. lamta C. latius latius G. lamta
Macroelements (mg/100 g) Na 117.25a ± 7.29 170.00cd ± 10 151.67c ± 12.58 179.00d ± 1 106.67a ± 0.57 118.67b ± 1.53
Ca 492.86c ± 8.15 413.33b ± 5.77 535.33d ± 5.03 441.33b ± 12.06 473.33bc ± 15.28 366.67a ± 5.77
K 353.57d ± 20.45 260.00b ± 10 371.67d ± 10.41 306.33c ± 15.18 320.00c ± 4.36 222.67a ± 6.43
Trace elements (mg/100 g) Fe 11.31a ± 0.94 15.67ab ± 3.79 17.50b ± 2.29 19.00b ± 1 10.67a ± 1.15 10.00a ± 0
Zn 2.333a ± 0.58 3.00ab ± 1 1.715a ± 0.03 2.333a ± 0.58 4.675c ± 0.283 3.723b ± 0.29
Pb 0.349c ± 0.03 0.358c ± 0.02 0.112a ± 0.001 0.111a ± 0.001 ND 0.240b ± 0.03
Cu 0.755bc ± 0.03 0.811c ± 0.01 0.698b ± 0.02 0.729b ± 0.01 0.411a ± 0.07 0.547abc ± 0.20
ND, not detected.
Values are mean ± SD of three replicates. Values with different superscripts in a row varied significantly (p < 0.05).
 JOURNAL OF AQUATIC FOOD PRODUCT TECHNOLOGY 7

Protein accumulation in the tissue varies little in sound fish until it is used during the reproductive period
or there is less accumulation during shortage of food (Ali et al. 2001). High protein content during the
summer season is in accordance with the results of Pawar (2016) for the fish species Salmostoma sardinella,
Cirrhinus reba, Rasbora daniconius, and G. mullya. However, low accumulation of protein during winter
season was also recorded in both male and female species of Wallago attu (Jafri 1969). The higher protein
accumulation found during summer season and lower during winter season in the present study is in
accordance with the result of Ahmed et al. (1984) Chandrashekhar et al. (2004), and Jan et al. (2012). Fairly
high protein content during the summer and monsoon seasons was observed in the present study. Jafri
(1968) also found the highest protein value in the month of June. Change in the protein value in edible
tissue according to season was also reported by Tzikas et al. (2007) and Njinkoue et al. (2002). As both the
studied fish species in the present study are herbivorous, the variation may arise due to their planktonic
food and fluctuating environmental conditions. Lower accumulation of protein in C. latius latius (12.40 ±
0.89% and 9.87 ± 1.02%) and G. lamta (11.71 ± 0.63% and 10.92 ± 0.20%) during winter months
(December and January) is due to low temperature conditions, which in turn lowers the availability of
food items. Hence, fish consume less food resulting in less accumulation of protein in the muscle tissue.
From February to July, there is a rise in temperature and photoperiod, which increases the rate of
photosynthesis, resulting in more food availability. Therefore, rapid consumption of food results in high
accumulation of protein content in the muscle tissue of C. latius latius (31.53%) and G. lamta (30.82%).
The high level of moisture content observed during monsoon is in agreement with the study
conducted on Channa striata (Dathu et al. 2018). The lower values of moisture during April and May
in C. latius latius and May and June in G. lamta coincide with the advancement of maturity. Similar
findings of low moisture due to sexual maturity were also reported by Bruce (1924), Khawaja (1966), and
Somvanshi (1983). In the present study, lipid value reached maximum in the month of July in both the
fish species. A similar observation was recorded by Somvanshi (1983) in the female species of Garra
mullya. He also observed an increase in protein content from January to June and thereafter showed
decreasing pattern until December. Total lipid content was observed to be maximum during monsoon
season. Similar observations were reported by Dutta and Dutta (2014) for Wallago attu, Rani et al. (2016)
for Auxis thazard, and Dathu et al. (2018) for Channa striata. The lower accumulation of lipid between
the months of October–March indicates less food availability, which may be due to low water tempera-
ture conditions that directly or indirectly affect the growth of algal species (Lundberg and Golani 1995).
The inverse relationship between moisture and lipid was noticed in most of the months in C. latius latius
and G. lamta but was not observed in some months; the reason for this is still unclear. The fluctuation in
the fat contents of fish body also depends on water temperature, water quality, and difference in
individual sex (Jacobs 1951). Srivastava (1999) categorized fish on the basis of percentage level of lipids
in the edible part (muscle) of fish: fat fish (having more than 8% average fat content), average fat fish
(having fat content between 1% and 8%), and lean fish (having fat content less than 1%). According to
this classification, both the studied fish species were average fatty fishes. The fish body composition is
considered to vary not only within and between species (Weatherley and Gill 1987) but also varies with
age, size, sex (Lawson et al. 1998) and season (Grigorakis et al. 2002). This might be due to the
collaboration of numerous factors like space, food, salinity, temperature, and physical activity of fish.
Mineral elements can be considered essential, nonessential, or toxic on the basis of their
composition in food. The present study shows higher concentration of Ca and K during wet season,
which is in agreement with the study conducted on Citharinus citharus, Clarias anguillaris, and
Hemisynodontis membranaceus (Effiong and Mohammed 2008). In the present study, the decreasing
pattern of macronutrients (Ca > K > Na) in both fish species is also supported by the results of
Shantosh and Sarojnalini (2018) and Jessica et al. (2015). Mineral elements like iron, copper, and
zinc are necessary for functioning of the biological systems. But these trace elements are known to
produce toxic effects when taken in higher concentration (Sivaperumal et al. 2007). Roos et al. (2002)
reported Fe concentration in the range 1.8 ± 0.7 mg/100 g–12.0 mg/100 g in the fish of Bangladesh
and 0.7 ± 0.1 mg/100 g–11.3 ± 3.4 mg/100 g in Cambodia fish. However, in the present study, Fe
concentration was recorded to be highest in both the studied fishes as compared to previous work.
8 S. SHARMA AND D. SINGH

Zn was highest during winter season in both the fish species. A similar result was observed by
Younis et al. (2015) in Oreochromis niloticus. Among the trace elements, Fe and Zn were found to be
the most dominant elements, which were also reported in the two marine fish P. elongatus and
P. typhus (Njinkoue et al. 2016). The present study recorded Fe to be the most dominant trace
element, followed by Zn in both the fish species; this is similar to the studies of Cross et al. (1973),
Hei and Sarojnalini (2012), Kumar et al. (2013), Durmus et al. (2018), and Sarma et al. (2018). The
amounts of trace elements were recorded to be low because of their lower requirement in the body
and also due to their lower concentration in the aquatic environment in which both the fish species
live. According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO 1983), the permissible limit of Zn, Pb,
and Cu is 50.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/kg, respectively. The amount of Zn, Pb, and Cu content in both the
studied fish species was found to be lower than the highest permissible limit of FAO (1983). The
nutritional composition of fish flesh may vary with fish species, age of fish, the feeding habit of fish,
and season (Jacquot 1961; Stansby 1954). The variations that were observed in the amount of
minerals in fish muscle tissue may be due to the rate in which they are present in the aquatic
environment and the ability of the organism (fish) to absorb these inorganic mineral elements from
their food and aquatic environment in which they live (Adewoye and Omotosho 1997). Thus, both
the fish species collected from the Alaknanda River are highly nutritious, safe for human consump-
tion, and should be added to the diet for intake of nutrients. As there was no significant variation in
the chemical status (protein, lipid, carbohydrate, moisture) and trace elements (Fe, Zn, Pb, Cu) of
C. latius latius and G. lamta, they are equally important in terms of chemical and trace element
value. However, C. latius latius was rich in Ca and K, while G. lamta was rich in Na content. Thus,
both fish species contain a fairly good amount of nutrients in their tissue and may be recommended
good for consumption.

Conclusion
Crossocheilus latius latius and Garra lamta from the Central Himalayan Alaknanda River were high
proteinous and average fatty fish species. Apart from the good amount of macroelements,
Crossocheilus latius latius was also found to be rich in Ca and K and Garra lamta in Na concentra-
tion. Trace elements like Zn, Cu, and Pb were present below the toxic levels in both fish species and,
hence, regarded safe for consumption. The present study could be a guideline for fish consumption
to the local populace and should be directed toward a more balanced approach to sustainable
fisheries management. These fish species may be recommended for culture, production, conserva-
tion, and augmentation on a large scale so as to ameliorate the malnutrition, health, and economy of
local inhabitants.

Acknowledgments
Authors are highly thankful to Head, Department of Zoology and Biotechnology, H.N.B. Garhwal University (A
Central University), Srinagar (Garhwal), Uttarakhand, for providing necessary laboratory facilities to carry out the
present study.

Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

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