Microbiological quality of smoke-dried mangrove oysters (Crassostrea gasar) sold in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

摘要

The microbiological quality of smoke-dried oysters (Crassostrea gasar) sold in Port Harcourt, Nigeria was investigated. The microbial load and pathogens in smoke-dried oysters from four major fishing ports: Kalabari (Ka), Bille (Bi), Okrika (Ok) and Nembe (NB) that supply the Port Harcourt market were evaluated and studied. Highest total viable counts were recorded in oysters from Bille and Nembe fishing ports and values ranged from 7.18-7.2log10 cfu/g and 6.7-6.9log10 cfu/g, respectively, while lowest counts were obtained in oysters from Okrika fishing port (5.75-5.9log10 cfu/g. The bacteria pathogens isolated were in the order of Staphylococcus aureus (45%), Bacillus cereus (25%), Micrococcus virans (15%), Klebsiella spp.(10%) and E.coli (5%). Among the predominant fungal isolates were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium spp, Neurospora spp. and Saccharomyces spp. Thus bacteria of aerial origin and storage fungi were isolated from smoke-dried oysters from the four major fishing ports that supply the fish market in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The microbial load and pathogens in the smoke-dried oysters could be attributed to poor handling practices and faulty storage temperature by the fish vendors.