EFFECTS OF POLYETHYLENE PACKAGING METHOD ON THE SHELF LIFE OF SMOKE-DRIED Clarias gariepinus DURING STORAGE

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at evaluating the microbial load of smoke-dried Clarias gariepinus packaged with different polyethylene packaging methods which include perforated (Sample A), folded (Sample B), sealed (Sample C), and stapled (Sample D) polyethylene. A total of 40 samples of fresh C. gariepinus were purchased from a reputable fish farm in Benin City, washed thoroughly and smoke-dried and after cooling they were packaged and taken to the laboratory where the microbial count of the packaged C. gariepinus were analyzed using Potato Dextrose Agar and Nutrient Agar for fungi and bacteria respectively. Sample A (perforated polyethylene packaging method) had the highest heterotrophic mean bacteria (6.1x10⁴ cfu/g) and fungi count of (2.2x10³cfu/g), while the least heterotrophic mean bacteria count was found in sample D with 2.3x10⁴ cfu/g and the least heterotrophic mean fungi count was found in sample C with 1.0x10³cfu/g. The study revealed that sample C and sample D had less cross contamination from the environment, which makes them more suitable for packaging.