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The triple burden of malnutrition is an incessant issue in low- and middle-income countries, and fish has the potential to mitigate this burden. In Ghana fish is a central part of the diet, but data on nutrients and contaminants in processed indigenous fish species, that are often eaten whole, are missing. Samples of smoked, dried or salted Engraulis encrasicolus (European anchovy), Brachydeuterus auritus (bigeye grunt), Sardinella aurita (round sardinella), Selene dorsalis (African moonfish), Sierrathrissa leonensis (West African (WA) pygmy herring) and Tilapia spp. (tilapia) were collected from five different regions in Ghana. Samples were analyzed for nutrients (crude protein, fat, fatty acids, several vitamins, minerals, and trace elements), microbiological quality (microbial loads of total colony counts, E. coli, coliforms, and Salmonella), and contaminants (PAH4 and heavy metals). Except for tilapia, the processed small fish species had the potential to significantly contribute to the nutrient intakes of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. High levels of iron, mercury and lead were detected in certain fish samples, which calls for further research and identification of anthropogenic sources along the value chains. The total cell counts in all samples were acceptable; Salmonella was not detected in any sample and E. coli only in one sample. However, high numbers of coliform bacteria were found. PAH4 in smoked samples reached high concentrations up to 1,300 μg/kg, but in contrast salted tilapia samples had a range of PAH4 concentration of 1 μg/kg to 24 μg/kg. This endpoint oriented study provides data for the nutritional value of small processed fish as food in Ghana and also provides information about potential food safety hazards. Future research is needed to determine potential sources of contamination along the value chains in different regions, identify critical points, and develop applicable mitigation strategies to improve the quality and safety of processed small fish in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish and seafood may play an important role for nutrition and food security as they contain essential vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. The aim of this study was to describe the nutrient composition, including fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, in commonly consumed fish species (fillet- and whole fish samples) sampled off the Northwest African coast. Furthermore, we assessed the species' contributions to the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) values from the World Health Organization (WHO). Samples of commercially important fish species (Sardina pilchardus, Engraulis encrasicolus, Trachurus trachurus, Pagellus acarne) were collected using trawling on the R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen in May 2017 and analyzed for nutrients at the Institute of Marine Research as individual and composite samples. All the analyzed fish species were good dietary sources of several vitamins and minerals and whole fish were substantially more nutrient dense than fillet samples, especially with regard to vitamin A, iodine, zinc, calcium, and iron. Including 100 g of sardine or anchovy (whole fish) in the diet, would contribute substantially to the RNI for vitamin B12, vitamin D and vitamin A, EPA and DHA as well as the minerals iodine, zinc, and calcium. This study shows that fish consumed with skin, bone, and viscera may be very nutrient dense and important for local food and nutrition security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish is an important dietary source of micronutrients, particularly in low-and middle-income countries. In Ghana, effective management of fish and the fisheries is essential for food, economic and nutrition security and is critical towards achieving many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals especially those pertaining to hunger, poverty, gender equality and life under water. Ghana has experienced significant economic growth in the last few decades, but increasing inequality, uncertainties in fish availability and unsustainable management of the fisheries are challenging local food and nutrition security. This literature review examines and evaluates the role of fish and fisheries in supporting FNS in Ghana, and highlights the lack of focus on fish in the literature with regard to regional food security and fisheries governance. Our review highlights the importance of ensuring the viability of small fish populations to enhance micronutrient availability and counteract micronutrient deficiencies in Ghana. Additionally, strengthening women's role in decision making and promoting female education and empowerment in the fisheries sector is an important strategy towards enhancing FNS in the region. • Fisheries governance and food security literature lacks focus on the role of fish as food. • Small fish are often overlooked as a source of micronutrients in Ghana and other LMICs. • Fish and fisheries are important for both food and nutrition security. • Policy makers should adapt governance practices to support the interests of small-scale fishers. • Fish and fisheries have important implications for achieving the UN sustainable development goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish is a major part of the Bangladeshi diet, but data on the nutrient composition of marine fish species are sparse. Mesopelagic fish may be a new potential resource of food and nutrients; however, nutrient composition data are lacking. The aim of this study was to provide nutrient composition data of fish species sampled off the coast of Bangladesh and determine their potential contribution to recommended nutrient intakes (RNI). Seven species from the pelagic, mesopelagic, and demersal zones were sampled from the coast of Bangladesh with Dr. Fridtjof Nansen in 2018. Three pooled samples containing 15-840 individuals from each species were analysed at the Institute of Marine Research, Norway. The demersal species contained substantially lower concentrations of nearly all nutrients, whereas the mesopelagic species generally were more nutrient dense. All species, except for the demersal species Bombay duck (9% dry matter), were found to contribute ≥100% to the RNI of vitamin B12, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and selenium. All species, except for the demersal fish species, contributed ≥25% to the RNI of six or more nutrients. The data presented in this paper are an important contribution to the Bangladeshi food composition table and contribute to the understanding of fish as an important source of micronutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadequate nutrient intakes are frequent among young children in low- and middle-income countries, causing prevalent micronutrient deficiencies. In Ghana, small smoked fish are the most frequently consumed animal source foods, and both whole fish and different tissues of fish are commonly used in complementary foods. However, the risks and benefits associated with consumption of different tissues of smoked fish has not been explored. Samples of smoked European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) were collected from five regions in Ghana and divided into subsamples of different tissues: whole fish, heads and skin, and samples without heads and skin. The different tissues were subsequently analyzed for selected nutrients (vitamins, minerals, trace elements and fatty acids), heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. A scenario referencing young children in Ghana (aged 6-23 months) was developed to assess the risks and benefits associated with daily consumption of different tissues of smoked European anchovy. We found that all tissues had the potential to substantially contribute to the recommended nutrient intakes of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids important for young child development. Samples of whole fish and of heads and skin contained levels of cadmium which exceeded the tolerable weekly intake greatly in the current scenario. All tissues contained elevated concentrations of BaP and PAH4 which exceeded the margin of exposure in the scenario, entailing potential consumer risk. A thorough assessment of dietary intakes of smoked fish products and refined risk-benefit assessments are therefore imperative to secure safe utilization of smoked fish in Ghana. • Different tissues of smoked European anchovy contain key nutrients for young children. • Whole fish or heads and skin combined exceeded the tolerable weekly intake for Cd. • All tissues contained elevated concentrations of PAHs, entailing potential consumer risk. • Refined risk-benefit assessments of smoked fish in Ghana are needed for safe utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Comprehensive nutrient profiles of 19 marine fish spp. from Sri Lanka are presented. • Small fish species are substantially more nutrient dense than large species. • The small fish Leiognathus dussumieri presented remarkable levels of micronutrients. • Several small species may contribute considerably to recommended nutrient intakes. Fish is an important part of the Sri Lankan diet. However, existing data on the nutrient composition of fish in Sri Lanka is highly outdated and limited. The aim of this study was to report the nutrient composition of commonly consumed marine fish species in Sri Lanka and assess the potential contribution of selected key nutrients in fish to recommended nutrient intakes (RNI). Fish were sampled during a survey with research vessel Dr. Fridtjof Nansen around Sri Lanka. Species were categorised as either small (<25 cm, n = 12) or large (>25 cm, n = 7), and three composite samples from each species were analysed using accredited methods. Small species commonly consumed whole contained significantly higher concentrations of micronutrients such as calcium (960 mg/100 g), iron (3.3 mg/100 g), zinc (2.1 mg/100 g), vitamin A (295 μg/100 g), and EPA and DHA (0.14 and 0.32 g/100 g, respectively) than larger species where only the fillet is consumed. Several species were identified to contribute ≥25 % of the RNI of women of reproductive age for multiple essential nutrients. These data may represent an important contribution to the future development of the Sri Lankan food composition database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]