Assessment of sensory and microbiological quality of five marketed fish species at Dhaka city in Bangladesh

Abstract

The study assessed the sensory quality and the bacterial condition in five nutritionally important fish species at Dhaka city in Bangladesh. Sensory defect points (DP) were analysed at in-situ conditions and microbiological attributes were conducted at laboratory condition. Sensory DP indicated fishes in retail markets (RM) were deteriorating and/or spoiled (DP >3 to <5) except live fishes. In super shops (SS), DP indicated excellent to good quality (DP >1 to <3) for all the fishes. The average total plate count (TPC) in the fishes from RM exceeds the permissible limit (PL) except for the fishes sold in live condition. A highly significant difference observed in the fishes sold in dead condition between RM and SS (p≤0.001). Correlation analysis revealed an insignificant relationship between sensory DP and TPC (p≥0.05) in the markets. The study recorded total coliform counts (TCC) was within the PL i.e., <100 MPN/g in both types of markets. Faecal coliform counts (FCC) were within the acceptable limit i.e., <10 MPN/g only in the fishes from super shops. Salmonella spp. and Vibrio cholerae was detected almost in all samples from retail markets while it was very less likely detected in SS. The study revealed that fish from both RM and SS is safe for human consumption but super shops possess better quality than retail markets.