Baceriological evaluation of brackiish and marine water fish in Alexandria province

Abstract EN

A total of one hundred random fish samples were collected from various sites in Alexandria province.

The samples were represented by four species of fish.

Two species from brackish water fish, [Tilapia nilotica and Mugil cephalus (25 of each)] and two species from marine water fish, [Sparus auratus and Siganus rivulatus (25 of each)] The collected samples were transferred in an insulated ice box under aseptic condition without any delay for sensory and bacteriological examination.

The study revealed that, the overall acceptability of the sensory examination of Tilapia nilotica, Mugil cephalus, Sparus auratus and Siganus rivulatus were 86.8, 81.7, 94.7 and 95.4% respectively.

On the other hand, the bacteriological examination revealed that, the mean values of aerobic count / g.

in the muscles of Tilapia nilotica and Mugil cephalus were 7.5 x 103 ± 1.8 x 103 and 1.1 x 104 ± 3 x 103cfu / g.

respectively, while in the muscles of Sparus auratus and Siganus rivulatus were 1.4 x 103 ± 2 x 102 and 1 x 103 ± 1.8 x 102 cfu / g.

respectively.

The mean values of Psychrotrophic count / g in the muscles of Tilapia nilotica and Mugil cephalus were 5.2 x 103 ± 1.2 x 103 and 8.1 x 103 ± 1.9 x 103 respectively while in the muscles of Sparus auratus and Siganus rivulatus were 1 x 103 ± 1.4 x 102 and 9.2 x 102 ± 1.6 x 102cfu / g.

Meanwhile, the mean values of Coliforms count in the muscles of Tilapia nilotica and Mugil cephalus were 5.4 x 10 ± 1 x 10 and 1.2 x 102 ± 2.3 x 10 cfu / g.

respectively, while in the muscles of Sparus auratus and Siganus rivulatus were 6 ± 1.2 and 4 ± 0.8 cfu / g.

respecti-vely.

Salmonellae and Staphylococcus aureus failed to be detected in all examined samples.

The public health significance of the obtained results and some recommendations to ensure safety were discussed.