Bacterial Flora of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus ) Harvested From Ponds In Uyo South-South Nigeria

Abstract

The bacteria flora of Clarias gariepinus was investigated using standard microbiological procedures. The total heterotrophic bacteria count of pond water, skin, gills and intestine of Clarias gariepinus ranged from 1.2 x 10 4 cfu/g in the gills to 2.16 x 10 6 cfu/cm 2 on the skin while the total coliform count ranged from nil in pond water to 3.5 x 10 4 cfu/g of the gills. The Salmonella-Shigella count was higher in the intestine of the catfish obtained from all the ponds under investigation while the total vibrio count was higher in pond water and intestine of catfish from all the ponds studied but was low in gills and skin. The bacteria flora included Streptococcus sp., Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., Staphylococcus sp., Vibrio sp., Pseudomonas sp., Serratia sp., Klebsiella sp., Shigella sp. , Enterococcus sp. and Proteus sp. Enterococcus sp had the highest frequency of occurrence of 77% followed by Salmonella sp (75%) while Klebsiella sp had the least frequency of occurrence of 8%. The bacterial flora was composed of potential spoilage and pathogenic organisms that could constitute a public heath risk and economic loss. Catfish should be properly processed before consumption or preservation.