Nutritional Quality of Exotic Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Indigenous Snow Trout (Schizothorax richardsonii) in Upland Himalayan Region

The exotic rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and indigenous snow trout (Schizothorax richardsonii) are two important coldwater fish species having high consumer preference and market value. The study embodies to evaluate the nutritional quality of rainbow trout and snow trout in terms of proximate composition, macro and micro minerals. In rainbow trout, significantly (P<0.01) higher protein (75.81±0.42) and moisture (77.14±0.09) were recorded during February-May whereas; crude fat (13.76 ±0.29) and dry matter (27.32±0.21) were significantly higher in October-January. Ash level (6.21±0.10) was significantly (P<0.01) higher in the month of June-September. Similarly, in snow trout higher protein (72.45±0.65) and moisture (77.34±0.01) were found in winter period. Crude fat (20.59±0.03) and dry matter (29.87±0.01) content were significantly (P<0.01) higher in the month of June-September. Ash (10.68±0.06) level was highest (P<0.01) in winter. Results from the analysis revealed that sodium, potassium and calcium concentration of rainbow trout sampled from Patlikuhal trout farm were significantly (P<0.01) higher (216.66±3.055; 1538.67±8.504; 488.0±4) respectively in comparison to two other geographical locations. Snow trout of Nandprayag contained significantly higher (P<0.01) values of sodium (241±31.19) and potassium (1246.67±59.07) in comparison to other two geographical locations. The higher concentration of calcium (417±12.013) was recorded from Champawat fish farm. Significantly (P<0.01) higher concentration of manganese (0.193±0.011; 0.345±0.013), zinc (1.789±0.012; 2.705±0.013) and selenium (1.66±0.029; 1.032±0.016) were noted from Champawat fish farm for both the trout. Higher amount of iron (0.892±0.011) was found in snow trout and rainbow trout (5.171±0.011) fish collected from Bairangana fish farm and Champawat fish farm. From the study it may be recommended that the rainbow trout and snow trout are having rich nutritional quality and play a vital role in human nutrition.