Determination of the Nutritive and Anti-Nutritive Values of Pelophylax esculentus (Edible Frog) Found in Hanyan Gwari, Minna Niger State, Nigeria

The proximate, selected minerals, amino acid profile, functional properties and anti-nutrient composition of edible frog (Pelophylax esculentus) were determined using standard analytical methods. The crude protein was 31.17±1.36%, carbohydrate was found to be 29.02±1.16% while the crude fibre was 11.71±0.22%. The crude fat was 16.22±0.16%, ash content was 8.93±1.33% and moisture was 3.49±0.56%. The abundance of mineral elements found in the meat of P. esculentus was found to be in the order: sodium > phosphorus > potassium > calcium > zinc > magnesium > copper > iron > manganese. The calorific value was 506.17 kcal/100 g while the animal was also found to have reasonable amounts of essential amino acids: tryptophan (0.39), lysine (7.62), arginine (6.13), histidine (2.13), threonine (3.94), valine (4.82), methionine (2.89), leucine (7.22), isoleucine (3.83) and phenylalanine (4.14) all expressed as percentage of protein. Based on its anti-nutritional contents, P. esculentus meat could be considered as a good, low cost source of animal protein for man and his animals. It could also be a good source of calcium, potassium and sodium.