ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF PATHOGENIC BACTERIA IN FRESH TUNA (KATSUWONUS PELAMIS) COLLECTED FROM FISHERMEN IN AMBON, INDONESIA

摘要

Food products such as fish may contain microorganisms. Fish has become the center of attention since it is frequently contaminated by harmful pathogenic microorganisms. This research is aimed to isolate and characterize pathogenic bacteria in fresh tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis). Bacteria were isolated from fish slime, gills, and offal and grown on an Alkaline Pepton Water (AWP) medium, cultured on a TSA medium with scratching method. Grown colony was identified based on its morphological, biochemical andphysiological features. As a result, three bacterial isolates were found; Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Planococcuscitreus, and Micrococcus varians. This result has indicated that isolates found have similar characteristics and the fish have been contaminated by organisms while humans handling the harvest.