Nutrient composition of Xenentodon cancila - A small indigenous fish prescribed as a dietary supplement to control nocturnal enuresis

Abstract

The medicinal and therapeutic value of fish is known for centuries and it is harnessed to cure and prevent a number of human diseases. Xenentodon cancila is a small indigenous fish that is used in the folklore medicine for the nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) in growing children. Nocturnal enuresis is a clinical condition in which involuntary urination takes place at night while asleep, after the age at which bladder control usually occurs. To investigate the nutritional factors that could possibly be contributing to such therapeutic properties, we thoroughly studied the nutritional composition of Xenentodon cancila. Crude protein and crude fat contents were determined by Kjeldahl and Soxhlet methods, respectively. Amino acid, fatty acid and mineral analysis were carried out using HPLC, GC-MS and ICP-AES respectively. It was found that the fish is rich in protein (15%), functional amino acid leucine, essential amino acids isoleucine and valine and fatty acids like capric acid (10.05%) and myristic acid (9%) besides 12% unsaturated fatty acids. Mineral profiling of the fish showed that the fish is a very rich source of phosphorous and copper; besides, it contains calcium, potassium, iron. The therapeutic property of Xenentodon cancila could be due to the synergistic effect of these micronutrients, especially the trace elements. However, it merits further investigation as nocturnal enuresis has psychological and behavioral impacts on the growing children.