Bacterial assessment of smoke-dried fishes sold at three landing market sites in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study focused on the bacteriological profile of four different smoke-dried fishes Clarias gariepinus (CG), Oreochromis niloticus (ON), Malapterurus electricus (ME), and Citharinus citharus (CC) sold at three landing market sites (Otuocha, Ose, and Ogbakuba) in Anambra State, Nigeria. Bacteria isolates from fish samples were examined and identified using microscopic, morphological, and biochemical characteristics. The results revealed the presence of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica and Shigella flexneri in all the fish samples from the three markets. The highest number of bacteria (1471 cfu/g), was found at the Ose fish landing market followed by Ogbakuba (1353 cfu/g), while the lowest number was found in Otuocha (957 cfu/g). Some of the isolated bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella sp are known to cause food borne diseases and are of public health concern. Therefore, regular disinfection and cleaning as well as regular inspection by health officers are advocated to improve the hygiene of the markets. However, it is recommended that consumers should cautiously subject the fish to additional processing such as adequate cooking in order to eliminate these bacteria and to avoid food poisoning.