You can’t go wrong with Nile Perch
Jun 06, 2011
OIL from Nile Perch belly has been proved to have tremendous health benefits. During production of fillet, about 50% of the total fish mass is unprocessed. Therefore the belly flaps constitute about 20% of the by-products.<br>
By John Kasozi
OIL from Nile Perch belly has been proved to have tremendous health benefits. During production of fillet, about 50% of the total fish mass is unprocessed. Therefore the belly flaps constitute about 20% of the by-products.
According to Prof. John Muyonga, the dean of School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bio-Engineering College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, Nile Perch belly flaps yield oil up to 74%.
The oils have healthy fats comprising mainly omega 3 fatty acids similar to those found in cod liver oil, a product that is widely consumed for its health benefits.
Health benefits
Fish oil has health benefits such as boosting cardiovascular (heart) health, providing protection from stroke and heart attack as well as reducing risks of breast, colon and prostate cancer.
Fish oil also lowers risks of childhood disorders, boosts brain function and higher intelligence, lessens depression and psychosis (loss of contact with reality), relieves painful conditions and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Nile Perch belly flap oil is rich in vitamins A and E, and low in pesticide residues as well as toxic heavy metals including lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury. The low levels of contaminants is an indication that the product is generally safe for human use.
Its high content of vitamin A and E makes it a good product for alleviating vitamin A deficiency and non-communicable diseases.
Nile Perch oil can be stored over a long period of time, a property associated with the presence of high levels of anti-oxidants, which protect body cells from damage. Its storage stability shows that it would not require significant additives for commercial use.
After refining, the clear belly flap oil is suitable for production of fish oil emulsions or capsules.
In addition, Nile Perch belly flaps also have the potential for commercial production of fish oil.
Commercially, Nile perch is the most lucrative fish species in East Africa. About 400,000 metric tonnes of Nile Perch are caught annually in the region, and increasing proportions are getting processed into fillets for export, mainly to the European Union.
OIL from Nile Perch belly has been proved to have tremendous health benefits. During production of fillet, about 50% of the total fish mass is unprocessed. Therefore the belly flaps constitute about 20% of the by-products.
According to Prof. John Muyonga, the dean of School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bio-Engineering College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, Nile Perch belly flaps yield oil up to 74%.
The oils have healthy fats comprising mainly omega 3 fatty acids similar to those found in cod liver oil, a product that is widely consumed for its health benefits.
Health benefits
Fish oil has health benefits such as boosting cardiovascular (heart) health, providing protection from stroke and heart attack as well as reducing risks of breast, colon and prostate cancer.
Fish oil also lowers risks of childhood disorders, boosts brain function and higher intelligence, lessens depression and psychosis (loss of contact with reality), relieves painful conditions and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Nile Perch belly flap oil is rich in vitamins A and E, and low in pesticide residues as well as toxic heavy metals including lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury. The low levels of contaminants is an indication that the product is generally safe for human use.
Its high content of vitamin A and E makes it a good product for alleviating vitamin A deficiency and non-communicable diseases.
Nile Perch oil can be stored over a long period of time, a property associated with the presence of high levels of anti-oxidants, which protect body cells from damage. Its storage stability shows that it would not require significant additives for commercial use.
After refining, the clear belly flap oil is suitable for production of fish oil emulsions or capsules.
In addition, Nile Perch belly flaps also have the potential for commercial production of fish oil.
Commercially, Nile perch is the most lucrative fish species in East Africa. About 400,000 metric tonnes of Nile Perch are caught annually in the region, and increasing proportions are getting processed into fillets for export, mainly to the European Union.