Nijimbere, JoselyneSous la direction de Pr. Dr. Ir. Jonathan Niyukuri2025-11-042025-11-042024-12https://repository.ub.edu.bi/handle/123456789/2123Mémoire présenté et défendu publiquement en vue de l’obtention du Diplôme de Master en Sciences et Technologie des Aliments Spécialité : Gestion de la qualité des produits agro-alimentairesFish is a food of high nutritional value, yet some endemic species of Lake Tanganyika, such as Limnotilapia dardennei and Clarias gariepinus, remain underconsumed due to their high cost and the lack of nutritional composition data. This study, conducted in Magara (Rumonge Province), aimed to analyze their physicochemical composition. A survey revealed that 92% of the population consumes these fish, mainly for taste (35%), eating habits (21%), and leisure (11%). However, consumption levels remain low: 0.85% for L. dardennei and 0.65% for C. gariepinus. Analyses were carried out in several laboratories, including the University of Burundi and the International Livestock Research Institute in Kenya. Results showed that L. dardennei had a higher water content (76.5% vs. 69.6%) and lipid concentration (13.6% vs. 9.5%). In terms of minerals, L. dardennei was richer in potassium (7205 ± 190.54 mg/kg) and iron (97.90–102.30 mg/kg), while C. gariepinus contained higher levels of magnesium (1,296 ± 97.24 mg/kg) and sodium (2,602 ± 102.93 mg/kg). Low concentrations of lead were detected (max. 8.06 ± 0.233 mg/kg). Regarding fatty acids, both species contained beneficial polyunsaturated fatty acids: L. dardennei showed 18 ± 0.41 of omega-3 and 13.88 ± 0.85 of omega-6, while C. gariepinus presented 25.42 ± 0.54 and 15.15 ± 0.38, respectively. This study highlights local food preferences and nutritional differences between the two species, emphasizing the importance of regular nutritional quality assessments of fish resources to prevent dietary deficiencies in the region.