Efficacy of processing methods on the proximate composition and microbial loads in Senilia senilis (Linnaeus, 1758) in mangrove swamps of Iko estuary, southeast, Nigeria

Abstract

The traditional uses of Senilia senilis by the inhabitants of Iko town, Eastern Obolo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria are enormous. A total of 250 samples of S. senilis was collected from the sampling site over a period of twelve (12) months and randomly subjected to four (4) different processing methods. Standard analytical procedures were used for proximate compositions and microbiological examination. Eleven (11) bacterial species and six (6) fungal species were isolated. Mean Total Heterotrophic Bacteria Count (THBC) of 1.72 × 105 cfu g−1 was recorded with least in shell (1.61 ± 1.7x105cfu g−1) and highest in gut (1.92 ± 2.1 × 105). Mean Total Vibrio Count (TVC) was 7.62 × 10−1cfu g−1 and followed the same pattern. Mean Total Coliform Count (TCC) was 3.33 × 101 cfu g−1 with least in flesh and highest in gut. Mean Total Salmonella Shigella (TSS) of 2.40 × 102 cfu g−1 was recorded and followed the same pattern. Mean Total staphylococcal Count (TSC) was 5.62 × 10−1 cfu g−1 with none on shell. Mean Total Fungal Count (TFC) was 3.33 × 104 cfu g−1 with least in shell and highest in flesh. THBC was low in fried (1.44 ± 0.43 × 104) and salted (1.43 ± 0.95b x104), TVC low in salted (1.15 ± 0.85 × 10), TCC low in salted (1.59 ± 0.42 × 10), while TSS and TSC were completely destroyed in frozen, fried and salted samples. TFC was low in salted (1.11 ± 0.09 × 104). Microbes were eradicated differentially across treatments. Proximate composition was mildly affected by the different processing. Generally, salting emerged first. However, a combination of some methods may produce a synergic effect.