Bacterial Count and Proximate Composition of an Indian sub-continental Freshwater Barb, Punti (Puntius sophore) and a Gangetic Catfish, Gulsha (Mystus cavasius) during Drying-up Process

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study was conducted to evaluate the changes in aerobic plate count (APC) and proximate composition with the aim to establish the relationship between APC and different components (such as moisture, crude protein, lipid, and ash) of proximate composition at different time intervals during the drying process of fish. Two small indigenous species (SIS) of fish, such as an Indian sub-continental freshwater barb, punti (Puntius sophore), and a Gangetic catfish, gulsha (Mystus cavasius) were dried using both traditional and improved techniques. The APCs of studied fishes gradually decreased regardless of species and drying techniques. However, the counts were slightly higher in traditional drying as compared to the improved technique for both species. A strong positive correlation was observed between APC and moisture content, while there was a strong negative correlation between APC and protein, lipid, and ash. Thus, among different components of proximate composition, moisture content ultimately determines the rate of reduction of bacterial number.