ISSN: 2471-9315
Fatima Muhammad Sani, Idris Abdullahi Nasir and Gloria Torhile
Background
Smoked-dried fish are largely consumed as source of nutrient by man. It has been established that fish food can act as vehicle for transmission of some mycological pathogens especially in immunocompromised individuals.
Materials and Methods
Between 7th October 2011 and 5th January 2012, a total of 100 different species of smoke-dried fish comprising 20 each of Cat fish (Arius hendeloti), Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Stock fish (Gadus morhua), Mud fish (Neoxhanna galaxiidae) and Bonga fish (Enthalmosa fimbriota) were purchased at Baga motor park in maiduguri metropolis, Nigeria. They were processed and investigated for possible fungal contamination based on culture isolation using Sabourand dextrose agar (SDA) and microscopy.
Results
Organisms isolated and identified in pure culture were Mucor spp. (36%), Aspergillus niger (35%), Aspergillus fumigatus (6%), Candida tropicalis (3%), Candida stellatoidea (2%), Microsporum audunii (2%), Penicillium spp. (2%) and Trichophyton rubrum (1%) while Mucor spp. and Aspergillus niger (4%); Mucor spp and Candida tropicalis (3%); Aspergillus fumigatus and Mucor spp. (1%); Aspergillus niger, Candida spp. and Mucor spp. (1%) were isolated in mixed culture. The mean colony count of pure fungal colonies ranged between 1.3 × 104 - 8.5 × 106 CFU/g. of fish extract while that of mixed fungal colonies were between 2.0 × 104 - 5.1 × 104 CFU/g.
Conclusion
Findings from this study indicate presence of fungal contamination in test fish. When consumed, they might be source of human infections. This suggests the need for veterinary and public health interventions through fish regulatory programs, more so fish processors should be educated on safe methods of preservation in order to prevent or minimize fungal contamination.