DETERMINATION OF BACTERIAL LOADS AND HEAVY METALS’ LEVEL IN DIFFERENT FISH SPECIES FROM SELECTED MARKETS IN OGUN STATE

Abstract

Fish has a high level of consumer preference because of its natural nutritional content, flavor, and ease of digestion. It is one of the most significant sources of animal protein now in the market. Despite their numerous merits, most of these fishes have been reported to be unsafe for consumption due to bioaccumulation of contaminants and heavy metals. In this study, three different species of smoked-dried fish samples (Catfish ((Clarias gariepinus), Bonga fish (Ethmalosa fimbriata), and Atlantic bumper (Chloroscombrus chrysurus)) from four different markets in Ogun State, including Arepo, Ibafo, Magboro and Mowe were purchased and aseptically taken to the lab for analysis. The microbiological qualities, proximate analysis and heavy metal residues of the fish were investigated. The bacterial counts ranged from 3 x106 – 348 x 104, 3 x 104 – 245 x 104 , 1 x 104 – 234 x 104 and 53 x 106 – 450 x 104 (cfu/ml) for the fish sampled from Arepo, Ibafo, Magboro, and Mowe respectively after 24 hrs of incubation. Bacillus spp., and Staphylococcus spp., Arthrobacter spp., Streptococcus spp., were the predominant bacteria from the fish samples. The proximate composition of the fishes revealed that the protein, ash, moisture, fat, fibre, and Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE) contents ranged from 0.19 – 0.30%, 0.97 – 1.01%, 3.61 – 7.56, 2.50 – 9.70%, 1.20 – 7.45%, and 85.60 – 89.16% respectively, while the heavy metals content for Pb, Cr, Zn, Ni, and Fe ranged from 0.02 – 1.02, 0.003 – 1.69, 0.02 – 0.15, 0.52 – 4.00 (mg/L). Heavy metal contents were above the limit allowed by WHO. Therefore, these findings show that the fishes are unsafe for consumption and there is need to improve the level of preservation.