The microbial load on smoked fish sold in Ibadan, Oyo State was studied. 64 of 4 different fish species
(Mackerel (
Scomber scombrus
), Sardine (
Sardinela eba
), Panla (
Gadus morhua
) and Cat fish (
Clarias gariepinus
)) were
sourced from five different market locations. The microbiological analysis was done using standard microbiological
procedures. The bacterial count of fish sampled from Ojo market was the highest (0.35±0.11
x 10
3 CFU/g) while the
bacteria count of the fish sample from Bodija market was the lowest (0.07±0.04 x 10
3 CFU/g). There was no significant
difference (p>0.05) in the microbial load of the various fish species sold within Ibadan metropolis as well as fish sampled
from various market locations in Ibadan metropolis. Bacterial isolated on smoked fish studied were:
E. coli
,
Salmonella
spp,
Klebsiella
spp,
Staphylococcus aureus
,
Aerosomonas
spp,
Pseudomonas
spp,
Vibrio
spp,
Serratia
spp,
Chromobacterium
spp,
Enterobacteria
spp and
Shigella
spp. While the following fungi were isolated from the study:
Aspergillus flavus
,
Penicillium
spp,
Fusarium oxysporum
,
Trrichoderma
spp and
Ceotrichium albidium. Fish species sold
in different markets within Ibadan metropolis is fit for human consumption. Caution should be exercised in consuming
smoked-dried fish displayed openly, reheating may be necessary to activate such micro-organisms before consumption.
