MICROBIAL LOAD OF SMOKE-DRIED Clarias gariepinus RAISED IN VARIOUS CULTURE FACILITIES UNDER AMBIENT STORAGE.

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at evaluating the microbial load of smoke-dried Clarias gariepinus raised in various culture facilities (earthen pond, concrete tank and tarpaulin tank).

A total of 30 samples of fresh Clarias gariepinus were purchased from a reputable fish farm in Benin city, washed thoroughly and smoke-dried and after cooling, both fresh and smoke-dried samples were taken to the lab for the microbial analysis. The fish samples were analysed for Bacterial and Fungal Loads using Nutrient Agar and Potato Dextrose Agar respectively every two (2) weeks for a period of four (4) weeks. Fresh Clarias gariepinus served as control as control for measuring the rate of spoilage occurring in each of the samples. The highest mean bacterial count for the fresh samples was from the concrete tank which 4.9×10⁴cfu/g, and also the highest mean fungal count was from the concrete tank which was 4.2×10³cfu/g. Sample B had the highest mean bacterial count throughout the four weeks under ambient storage.

At the end of the study, it was observed that there was significance difference (P<0.05) among the various samples analysed.