Lesser known sources of protein in some Nigerian peasant diets

The proximate mineral composition and indispensable amino acid pattern were determined for samples of Snail (Vivapara quadrata), periwinkle (Littorina littorea), crayfish (Palamonetes varians) and some locally smoked fresh water fish (Pisces spp.).The crude protein contents of smoked fish, crayfish, snail and periwinkle were 75·31, 74·84, 65·29 and 60·93% dry matter, respectively. These values were 56·9, 54·9, 35·2 and 26·1%, respectively higher than that of whole hen's egg. All the samples, except snail, also had higher ash values. Whole hen's egg, however, contained more crude fat (40·23%) and gross energy (34·74 Kj/g) than the test samples.The minerals calcium and phosphorus were higher in the test samples than in whole hen's egg. Samples analysed contained higher amounts of tryptophan than whole hen's egg and, with the exception of snail, the samples also contained more lysine. The test samples have high chemical scores ($\text{A}\text{E}$ ratios). Comparison has also been made of the indispensable amino acid patterns of these samples with those of cow's milk, human milk and the FAO (1957) provisional pattern.