Occurrence of Fungi in Frozen Shawa Fish (Clupea harangus)sold in some areas in Ilorin Metropolis

Abstract

A total number of 100 frozen fishes (Clupea harangus) were purchased form three different locations in Ilorin Metropolis (Osere,Agbwbiaka and Sango).The plastic bags used in packaging the frozen fishes were sterilized using 70% ethanol.The frozen fish samples were transported in a sterile ice-pack cooler.Samples form cutting slabs at each location were also collected using cotton swabs and they were soaked in conical flask containing sterile distilled water.An cotton swabs and they were soaked in a conical flask containing sterile distilled water.An aluminium foil was used to cover the conical flask. the frozen fish samples from the cutting slabs at each location were transported to the microbiology laboratory, University of Ilorin for fungi analysis.Results revealed high contamination of yeast and mould in the cutting slabs and the gills of the sampled frozen shawa fishes.The isolated fungi were Alternaria tenuis, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus,Aspergillus niger, Neurospora crazza,Rhizopus stolonifer, penicillium citrinum and Saccharomyces cervisae with Aspergillus app having the highest number.It was concluded that large occurrence of Aspergillus app in the sampled frozen fish is risk to human health.the study therefore recommend proper processing and storage of frozen fish.