ABSTRACT
This study examined the effects of aqueous ginger (Zingiber officinale) and alligator pepper (Aframomum melegueta) extract on smoked-dried Clarias gariepinus in terms of preservation, nutrition and acceptability. A total of 30 fresh Clarias gariepinus were purchased from Isihor Benin City and the spices Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Alligator pepper (Aframomum melegueta) samples were purchased from Oba market, Benin City. The fishes were separated in to four major batches but different concentrations (5g, 10g and 50g per litre of hot water). An investigation was carried out on the effect of ginger, alligator pepper and their combination on the proximate composition, sensory evaluation and microbial load of the fishes using Altona kiln. Three fishes were used in each sample, and 10 samples {1-ginger (5g), 2-alligator pepper (5g), 3- combined (5g), 4- control, 5- ginger (10g), 6-alligator (10g),7- combined (10g), 8- ginger (50g), 9- alligator pepper (50g), 10- combined (50g)} in general. The result shown that smoked Clarias gariepinus ranged from; 6.83-18.2% (moisture), 4.6 – 11.9% (Ash), 51.1 – 72.23% (protein), 7.5- 13.07% (fat) and 1.73- 3.83% (carbohydrate). There were variations in the microbial counts, that is, fungi and the bacteria counts were generally low. The highest bacteria and fungi counts were observed after the fifth week with sample 4 [6.13 X 103 and 3.33 X 103 cfu/g] respectively, while sample 10 (50g combined) and 7 (10g combined); recorded the lowest bacteria and fungi counts after the fifth week. Sample 4 [control] appeared to have the highest bacteria and fungi counts all through the experiment. The organoleptic test for catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were assessed by panelists after five weeks of storage and they showed their preference for sample 10 (50g combined). This study therefore recommends the use of spices (combined) as a preservative for fish xiv processors since it's added to fish proximate composition and the use of unapproved chemicals such as; Formalin, 'otapiapia' and others should be stopped because of their health hazards.
