Microbiological Quality of Rohu (Labeo rohita) Marketed at Agartala (Tripura) and its Public Health Significance

Abstract

Iced rohu (Labeo rohita) brought from the other states of India to Tripura (ROS) was compared with rohu produced locally in Tripura (RTR) by analyzing the microbiological quality characteristics in relation to public health significance. Results showed that the total plate count (TPC) was highest in the gill and intestine (106–107 CFU g−1) and lowest in the muscle (105–106 CFU g−1) of both ROS and RTR, which was not significantly different (p > 0.05) from each other in ROS and RTR except in gill. Psychrophilic bacterial count was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in ROS than RTR. Staphylococcus spp. was not significantly different (p > 0.05) in ROS and RTR (104–105CFU g−1). Escherichia coli count in ROS was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than RTR. Salmonella spp. was found in high numbers in both ROS and RTR and was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in ROS than RTR. The microbial quality of the tabletops, water, and ice used for fish storage were also tested and found to be poor.