MICROBIAL QUALITY OF IMPORTED FROZEN Sardinella species AND Micromesistius poutassou OFFERED FOR SALE IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA.

Microbial quality of frozen fish offered for sale in Oyo state markets was investigated. The four Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) zones of the state were used for the study. Sardinella species and Micromesistius poutassou were selected among the commercially important imported frozen fish species in the state based on their availability in all zones. Bacterial and Fungal counts were determined using standard procedures. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, percentages and t-test. Ten bacteria and three fungi and three yeast species were isolated from the fishes evaluated. Predominant bacteria isolates were Shewanella putrefaciens and Streptococcus faecium, fungi included Penicillium notatum and Aspergillus niger while yeast were Cryptococccus laurentii and Torulaspora debrueckii. Total viable counts for bacterial and fungal counts were 3.1x105cfu/g and 1.8x105cfu/g, respectively for Sardinella spp. and 3.2x105cfu/g and 2.4x105cfu/g for M. poutassou. Although all the fish samples were within acceptable limit, the number of bacteria isolated showed that the quality of frozen fish did not reach expected standard in Oyo state. Keywords: Microbial quality; Frozen fish; Bacteria count; Fungi count, ADP zones DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/85-08 Publication date:March 31st 201