Estimation of Moisture and Fat Content in the Muscles of Local Fish from Libyan Marine Waters
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64943/ajhas.2026.0202983Keywords:
Proximate composition, Libyan marine fish, Fat content, Moisture content, Soxhlet method.Abstract
The aim of this research is to estimate the moisture and fat content in the muscles of six marine fish species commonly found in Libyan waters, namely sardine (Sardinella aurita), barracuda (Sphyraena sphyraena), dusky grouper (Epinephelus costae), red porgy (Pagellus erythrinus), chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), and saddled seabream (Oblada melanura). A total of 18 samples of each fish species were collected from the Fish Market – Bab al-Bahr / Tripoli. Moisture content was determined using oven drying, and fat content was estimated using the Soxhlet method. The results showed an inverse relationship between moisture and fat content in all studied species, with clear variation in moisture and fat levels among the fish species. The results indicated that the lowest moisture content and highest fat percentage were found in Pagellus erythrinus, while the highest moisture content was observed in Epinephelus costae. The lowest fat percentage was recorded in Epinephelus costae. Lengths and weights were also measured, with the following averages: sardine (19.22 cm, 60.17 g), barracuda (32.35 cm, 122.5 g), dusky grouper (25.02 cm, 190.17 g), red porgy (20.55 cm, 119.5 g), chub mackerel (24.35 cm, 139.17 g), and saddled seabream (20.5 cm, 181.67 g).
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