International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies
2021, Vol. 9, Issue 3, Part D
Assessment of the extent of microbial load of smoked dried African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) sold in Maiduguri markets
Author(s): Garba AA, J Ochogwu, BI Usman and MO Adadu
Abstract: This study was carried out to determine the bacterial and fungal load of smoke-dried
Clarias gariepinus sold in Maiduguri markets and to isolate and characterize the microbes. A total of forty five (45) Smoke-dried African catfish (
C. gariepinus) were randomly purchased from the five different Markets (Muna, Gamboru, Bama road, Baga road and Abbaganaram) in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. Nine (9) samples were collected randomly between September 2020 and November, 2020 from each market on three sampling occasions and wrapped aseptically.
Samples were transported from Maiduguri to the microbiology Laboratory, Department of food Science Technology of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi in sterile polythene bags for microbial analysis. Portions of the skin surface, gills and tissue of all the samples were cut and 1g of each sample was weighed out and homogenized in sterile test tube containing 9ml of distilled water which became the stock solution (1:10 dilution). Serial dilutions were then made up to 10-9 and 10ml. The result of this study showed that pathogenic bacteria and fungi are present in smoked C. gariepinus sold in Maiduguri markets. The study also revealed that a total of eight (8) types of microbes [three (3) species of bacteria and five (5) species of fungi] were isolated from the samples of smoked C. gariepinus. The bacteria observed include, Eschericia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. The fungi present in the fish samples were Fusarium spp., Mucor spp., Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger and yeast. Majority of the fungal isolates identified in this study produces mycotoxins. The presence of fungi particularly aflatoxigenic molds in these fish species is very significant as it was indicated by food safety standard that aflatoxigenic molds produce mycotoxins which have pathogenic effects on man. The result of this study shows that, Baga road market had highest microbial contamination (1.567 x 103 ± 0.243 x 103 cfu/g), and Gamboru market recorded the lowest, 0.806 x 103 ± 0.131 x 103 cfu/g. However, there was no significant difference in terms of microbial load between Gamboru market and Abbaganaram market (0.806 x 103 ± 0.131 x 103 cfu/g and 0.841 x 103 ± 0.105 x 103cfu/g respectively). Reverse was the case in Gamboru and Abbaganaram markets whose environments were at least the most hygienic of all the markets under study and this translates to their relatively low microbial load. In conclusion, microbial contamination or re-contamination of smoked catfish products has been seen to vary from one locality (market) to another and even within the same locality from one fish processor or seller to another. To enhance consumers’ health, the use of mechanized smoking system that would completely dehydrate the fish in order to prevent contamination due to moisture is recommended. Also authorities such as National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) should look into the environmental condition of our food handlers as it concerns the smoking factories, the markets and even the hawkers that carry the food from one place to another.
Pages: 278-287 | 1248 Views 718 DownloadsDownload Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Garba AA, J Ochogwu, BI Usman, MO Adadu. Assessment of the extent of microbial load of smoked dried African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) sold in Maiduguri markets. Int J Fish Aquat Stud 2021;9(3):278-287.