Bacteriological status of fish marketed in Beni-Suef City

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the bacteriological status of fresh Tilapia nilotica, fresh Clarias lazera, frozen Mackerel and smoked Herring fish marketed in Beni-Suef City. The collected samples were examined for total bacterial count, coli form (MPN), faecal coli forms (MPN), E. coli (MPN), Staphylococcus aureus count, total proteolytic count, total lipolytic count, Aeromonas count and Pseudomonas count, as well as the isolation of E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Yersinia enterocolitica and Listeria monocytogenes. Most of the examined samples were within the permissible limits recommended by EOS and ICMSF, few samples of fresh Clarias lazera exceeded the recommended limits. The economic importance and public health significance of the isolated organisms were discussed.