Survey of The Microbiological Quality of Frozen Fish Marketed in Abakaliki Metropolis and its Implications for Consumer Health

Orji J.O.; Okonkwo E.C.; Umezuluike O.I.; Anyim; C.

Volume : III, Issue : VIII, August - 2014

Survey of The Microbiological Quality of Frozen Fish Marketed in Abakaliki Metropolis and its Implications for Consumer Health

Orji J. O. , Okonkwo E. C. , Umezuluike O. I. , Anyim, C.

Abstract :

Majority of the frozen fishes sold in Abakaliki Metropolis are sold in open markets, hence this exposure of frozen fish encourages the growth of microorganisms which might facilitate increased transmission and prevalence of pathogens. The microbiological quality of 20 frozen fish from Kpirikpiri and Meat market in Abakaliki were ascertained. A total of 18 bacterial isolates and 7 fungal isolates were obtained from the frozen fishes. The bacteria isolates identified were Bacillusspp. (16.7%), Escherichia spp. (22.2%), Viio spp. (11.1%), Pseudomonas spp. (16.7%), Streptococcus spp. (11.1%) and Staphylococcus spp. (22.2%), while the fungal isolates were identified as Aspergillus spp. (28.6%), Mucor spp. (14.3%), Fusarium spp. (42.8%) and Rhizopus spp. (14.3%). The result obtained indicates that frozen fresh fish marketed within Abakaliki Metropolis contain various microorganisms; hence all hygienic measures must be performed during handling, processing and prep� of frozen food to prevent the reach of mould and their toxins to safe the consumer health.