MICROBIAL ASSESSMENT OF FROZEN Trachurus trachurus FROM COLDSTORAGE FACILITIES AND OPEN MARKETS IN IMO STATE: HAZARDANALYSIS AND ESTABLISHMENT OF CRITICAL CONTROL POINTS

Abstract

A total of forty-four (44) Trachurus trachurus (shinner) were randomly selected and collected for a microbial
quality survey which lasted for six months. Fish were obtained from conventional markets (cold room and open
markets) of Owerri municipal, Ohaji, Isiala Mbano and Mbaitoli Local government areas of Imo State, Nigeria.
Hazards analysis and critical control points were sought and identified in the course of fish movement from the
cold room to the consumers and corrective measures were suggested at such critical control points. Data obtained
was compared using One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results shows significant difference at p<0.05 for
Total Viable count (TVC), Total Coliform Count (TCC), Total Staphylococcal Count (TSC), Total Pseudomonas
Count (TPC) and Total Fungal Count (TFC) between cold room samples and open market samples but no
significant difference in Total Salmonella Shigella Count (TSSC) values (p=0.98). Amongst the nine bacterial
isolates, percentage occurrence for Staphylococcus aureus was the highest both in cold room (100%) and open
market samples (100%, 83.33% and 95.83% for Ohaji, Isiala Mbano and Mbaitoli open markets respectively). On
the other hand, there was no occurrence of Klebsiella spp. in cold room samples and very low occurrence (6.25%,
0% and 6.25%) for Ohaji, Isiala Mbano and Mbaitoli open markets respectively. Nine fungal isolates were
recorded among which Candida spp. and Rhodotorula spp. were very present (25% and 43.75% respectively) in
cold room samples but absent in open market samples. Salmonella, a microbe of severe hazard, was among the
isolates of public health concern since it is reported as the primary microbial pathogen responsible for the majority
of food-borne illnesses. Five critical control points were identified in the course of fish movement and preventive
measures were suggested. It is recommended that asides government resuming occasional inspection of markets,
consumers should avoid cross contamination during handling.