Özet:

This study aimed at the microbiological analysis of retail frozen and smoked fish in Okada Edo state Nigeria. Four different retail fish samples were collected from different point of sale in Okada market. Two fresh iced and smoked samples respectively were used for the study. After sub culturing prepared samples into appropriate media, 38 bacterial isolates were obtained from primary culture plates and characterized using standard microbiological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed on the isolates using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. All the isolates obtained were Gram positive cocci bacteria and had a probable identity of Streptococcus sp, Staphylococcus sp and Coagulase negative Staphylococcus sp. The fresh fish samples had a minimum viable count of 1.7x 106 cfu/g and a maximum count of 4x 106 cfu/g while the smoked fish samples had a minimum viable count of 1.8x 106 cfu/g and a maximum count of 8.5x 106 cfu/g. Results from this study shows that the samples do not meet the acceptable limit (5x 105 cfu/g) of the International Commission of Microbiological Specification for Food (ICMSF). The antibiotic susceptibility test showed the presence of antibiotic resistant organisms among the retail fish samples. The detection of high viable counts of bacteria isolates beyond acceptable limits and their antibiotic resistance pattern elucidates the need for continuous monitoring of retail sea foods in the environment. Prudent use of antibiotics in aquaculture should be promoted to avoid the public health impact caused by antibiotic resistance transferred from retail sea foods to humans.

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