International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences |
ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 2 Number 9 (2013) pp. 277-287 |
Assessment of the microbial load of smoked sardine (Sardina pilchardus, Walbaum, 1792) sold in Makurdi Markets |
V. O.Ayuba*, M.I.Alhassan, and U.U.Jimmy |
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria. *Corresponding author e-mail: vayuba2001@yahoo.com |
ABSTRACT |
The microbial load of smoked sardine (Sardina pilchardus) sold in five markets in Makurdi was investigated. A total of 45 samples were collected, three samples
from each location, and the experiment was conducted three times, amounting to
nine replicates per location. Sampling was randomly done and Pour-plate method was adopted for inoculation of all media plates. The isolates were characterized
using NA, MSA, EMBA, SDA, MCA and SSA media plates and growth from the plates were subjected to Gram staining test, motility test and Bio-chemical (Coagulate, Catalase, Citrate utilization test and Indole) tests, to confirm their
identity. Bacteria flora implicated with the samples included Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella sp,p E.coli and the mycoflora included Aspergillus niger, Mucor ssp, Yeast ssp and Alternaria ssp. the mean count of bacteria load ranged
from 2.632 x 10
3± 0.978 x 10
3
cfug
-1
(Wurukum Market) to 0.988 x 10
3± 0.272 x
103
cfug
-1
(Modern Market). There was a strong correlation between water activity
and Bacterial load. |
Keywords |
smoked fish; Sardina
pilchardus; makurdi; bacteria; mycoflora. |