MYCOFLORA OF SMOKE-DRIED FISH FROM ROAD SIDE TABLE MARKETS IN TORU-ORUA, SAGBAMA, BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Occurrence of mycoflora on smoke-dried Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Clarias gariepinus and Parachana
obscura, obtained from roadside table marketers in Toru-Orua was studied. The fungal infestation was examined
prior to the standard treatment of each fish species tissue to sterile media preparation (Potato Dexirose agar)
isolation, serial dilution plating, incubation, counting isolator and inventory/identification. All the fish species
examined had signs of fungal infections which include Mucor racemosus, Asperigillus fumigatus, A. niger, A.
flavus and Penicillum marneffei. The specimens, P. obscura and C. gariepinus had 3 fungal isolates, whereas the
C. nigroditatus had 2 fungal isolates. And the rate of infestation ranged from 4x103
/gm (A. niger) to 10 x103
/gm
(Mucos racemos) in the Northern Station, while in the Southern Station the range was 2.0x103
/gm (A. falavus) to
5.0x103
/gm (A. fumigatus). Mean percentage infection was, Asperigillus spp. 87.5%, Mucor spp. 37.5% and
penicillum marneffei 37.5%. Also the northern Toru-Orua roadside table market had 5 fungi isolated during the
studied, while the southern Toru-Orua roadside table market had 4 fungi isolated. Though, the mean rates of
infestation in the two locations were not significantly difference (P>0.05), Parachanna obscura in the North
Station was found to be the most infested fish species with these three fungal isolates; Asperigillus fumigatus,
Mucor racemosus, and Penicillum marnieffi. The study suggested mycoflora infestation of sold smoke-dried fish
in Toru-Orua town and the need for improved handling, processing, and storage methods for the availability of
safe smoke-dried fish for consumption.