Biochemical composition, protein quality and amino acid profile of red-toothed triggerfish (Odonus niger), an underutilised fish

The present study aims to assess the seasonal and sex-wise variations in proximate composition, amino acid profile and protein quality of Odonus niger, which will be the first report for this species. High-protein (15.15%-20.05%) and low-fat contents (0.46%-1.94%) were observed for the species studied. The highest protein was observed in September and December for male and female fishes respectively. The total essential amino acid (TEAA) content was 58.65-77.41 mg g(-1) (males) and 60.25-77.38 mg g(-1) (females) and leucine was the predominant EAA in both the sexes. The EAA index and biological value ranged between 17.50-22.56 and 7.38-12.89 for males and 18.02-22.48 and 7.94-12.80 for female fishes respectively. In male, TEAA followed Sept>Jan > Dec > Aug > Oct > Nov and in female it was Oct > Sept>Dec > Nov > Aug > Jan. The chemical score for histidine and threonine was more than the FAO recommended values. Overall, the nutritional quality of this unconventional species proved very good and comparable with other commercially important lean fishes.