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COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF MICROBIAL LOAD OF DRIED FISH SOLD IN NGOR-OKPALA LOCAL MARKETS IN IMO STATE AND FEDERAL COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, ISHIAGU EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA
Abstract
Microbial evaluation of dried fish samples from three local markets in Ngor-Okpala and Fisheries Department,
Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu (FCAI) Ebonyi State were assessed using appropriate culture media in
identifying isolates. The result revealed a total of nine (9) and seven (7) bacteria and fungi suspects respectively.
Samples from Ngor-Okpala markets revealed four bacteria isolates (Clostridium, Staphylococcus, Bacillus and
Micrococcus), while that from FCAI had eight (8) (Salmonella, Proteus, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus, Bacillus,
Micrococcus, Streptococcus and Pseudomonas). Fungi isolates from Ngor-Okpala dried fish samples were
Geotrichum candidum, while FCAI were Phoma sorghina, Penicillium sclerotigenium, Aspergillus niger,
Aspergillus flavus, Mucor and Rhizopus stolonifer. Heterotrophic bacteria mean counts from Ngor-Okpala was
2.5 x 105 cfu/ml, enteric coliform counts- 2.6 x 104 cfu/ml, while the fungi mean counts was 1.5 x 104 cfu/ml. The
heterotrophic mean load isolates from FCAI was 1.8 x 105 cfu/ml, while the fungi mean counts was 1.7 x 104
cfu/ml. Sources of contaminations could be traceable to the waters where the fish were obtained, handlers, and
sanitary conditions of the production, packaging, marketing or storage materials. The presence of these
microorganisms in fish is detrimental to human health, and therefore precautions should be taken during
processing, handling, storage, and transportation of fish.
