Microbiological Assessment of Smoked Clarias gariepinus Sold in Yenagoa

This study aimed to assess the microbial quality of smoked Clarias gariepinus sold in markets in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Fish samples processed using open drums, were purchased from retailers from Agudama, Akenfa, Kpansia Opolo and Tombia markets and analyzed for their microbial quality using viable plate count. Fish samples from Agudama market had total viable count (TVC) of 6.0×105 CFU/g and total fungi count (TFC) of  2.0×105 CFU/g; Akenfa market samples had TVC of 9×105 CFU/g and TFC of 7.0×105 CFU/g; Kpansia market samples had TVC of 3.5×106 CFU/g and TFC of 2.0×105; Opolo market samples had TVC of 3.0×106 CFU/g  and TFC of 2.0×105 CFU/g while Tombia market samples had TVC of 2.0×105 CFU/g and TFC of 1.0×105 CFU/g. The bacterial isolates were identified as Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptobacillus species. while the fungal isolates were identified as Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus terreus, Candida species and Mucor species. The fish samples, except those from Tombia market, had high microbial load and presence of pathogen, which is indicative of the poor conditions of processing, packaging, storage and display in the market. Improvement of processing practice and packaging method are recommended.