Comparative Evaluation of Proximate and Microbial Composition of Smoked Dried Fishes Sold in Oil Mill and Eleme-Ncha Markets, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Evaluation of proximate and microbial composition of smoked fishes, Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Bonga fish Ethmalosa fimbriata) sold in Oil Mill and Eleme-Nchia markets, Port Harcourt were studied. Two replicates of the sample, C. gariepinus and Ethmalosa fimbriata were randomly obtained from the retailers in the selected markets and transported to the laboratory for analysis. Proximate and microbiological analysis were carried out following standard methods. Results showed that moisture content (MC) of Ethmalosa fimbriata and Clarias gariepinus in Oil Mill market ranged from 31.40-34.20% and 32.50-36.50% while that of Eleme-Nchia market ranged from 32.40-34.20% and 35.20-36.50% respectively. pH values varied from 6.10-6.50 and 6.30-6.65% for E. fimbriata and C. gariepinus respectively in Oil Mill market while that of Eleme-Nchia market varied from 6.25-6.52 and 6.40-6.50 without significant difference between the mean ash, crude fibre and carbohydrate contents unlike those of their fat and crude protein contents. The mean value of THB load in C. gariepinus (2466.67±57.74cfu/g) significantly differed from that of E. fimbriata (1950.00±304.14 cfu/g) in both markets. The mean value of bacteria varied in the order, THB>TCB>Salmonella. The mean fungal load on both fishes was higher in Eleme-Nchia than Oil Mil market. Fourteen bacteria and seven fungi some of which included Enterobacter spp, Klebsellas spp, Bacillus spp, Staphyloccocus spp, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus oligosora   etc were observed.  The fishes in Eleme-Nchia market were nutritionally richer and microbially higher than those from the Oil Mill market. There should be proper monitoring of the handling processes and the processing techniques used.