| dc.description.abstract | The present study was carried out to assess the microbiological quality of dried Punti fish
processed by conventional method in Sylhet region as quality assurance of dried fish is of
utmost concern that has greater implications in health point of view. The study was conducted
for a period of five months from December 2014 to April 2015. Dried Punti fish (Puntius
sophore) samples were collected from Bishwanath and Sylhet Sadar upazilla of Sylhet district.
A total of 100 samples were collected on monthly basis from four different sources; two drying
yards (Mahtabpur and Tuker Bazar), Retail Market (Bandar Bazar) and Control. Control
sample was experimentally prepared in laboratory with proper hygiene and sanitation. For
quantitative analysis of microbes Total Plate Count (TPC), Total Fungal Count (TFC) and Total
Coliform Count (TCC) methods were conducted. Likewise, for qualitative analysis indicator
bacteria (e.g. Escherichia coli) and pathogenic bacteria (e.g. Salmonella sp. and Vibrio
cholerae) were isolated and identified from the collected samples. The mean (± SD) TPC of
dried Punti fishes of Mahtabpur, Tuker Bazar, Retail Market and Control were observed 6.14
6
±1.95×10
cfu/g, respectively. The mean
(±SD) TFC of dried Punti fishes of Mahtabpur, Tuker Bazar, Retail Market and Control were
estimated 3.75±0.74×10
, 5.52±2.14×10
6
, 10.18
6
±1.57×10
and 2.12±1.04×10
6
cfu/g,
respectively. Besides, the mean (±SD) TCC of dried Punti fishes of Mahtabpur, Tuker Bazar,
Retail Market and Control samples were found to be 89.04±22.76, 110.48±30.90,
101.60±21.74 and 47.24±16.57 MPN/g, respectively. TPC and TFC of dried Punti fish of Retail
Market were found significantly (P<0.05) highest and TCC of dried Punti fish of Tuker Bazar
was recorded significantly highest among all the samples. TPC, TFC and TCC of dried Punti
fish of Control source were observed significantly (P<0.05) lowest than others. Higher TPC,
TFC and TCC revealed that dried Punti fish was severely contaminated by bacteria, fungus and
coliforms. Twenty five (25) samples from each source were analysed according to standard
method to isolate E. coli, Salmonella sp. and V. cholerae. All dried Punti fish samples of
Mahtabpur, Tuker Bazar and Retail Market were detected contaminated with E. coli but only
40% of Control samples were found contaminated by E. coli. 40% samples of Mahtabpur and
60% samples of Retail Market were detected Salmonella and V. cholerae positive. Salmonella
sp. and V. cholerae were isolated from 60% and 40% samples of Tuker Bazar, respectively.
However, control samples were devoid of pathogenic bacteria. In sum, out of 100 samples
85%, 40% and 35% of samples were found contaminated with E. coli, Salmonella sp. and V.
cholerae. Existence of E. coli discovered that samples were adversely contaminated with faecal
and coliform bacteria. Correspondingly, the presence of Salmonella sp. and V. cholerae in some
sample indicated the maintenance of poor hygienic condition during processing. Overall, the
present study revealed that microbiological quality of Control sample was comparatively better
than the commercially produced dried fish.
4
, 3.05±0.94×10
4
, 3.78±0.82×10
4
and 1.88±0.55×10
4 | en_US |
