Bacterial contamination of fish sold in fish markets in the central province of Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the bacterial, chemical and sensory quality of fish and sanitary conditions of the sales outlets. The Salmonella sp.and Vibrio cholera were not detected in fish samples investigated during the study. Of the fish samples analyzed 56.6% were found unsuitable for consumption. The sanitary conditions of 50% of the fish stalls were not within the stipulated standards. The estimated levels of total coliform and Escherichia coli in the fish samples analysed were 7-2.4×103/g and <3-2.4×103/g and the estimated maximum and the minimum counts of total bacteria were 3.25×102/g and 6.83×10 8/g respectively. The presence of fecal Coliforms and E.coli in the tuna samples investigated can be attributed to the fecal contamination of fish from capture upto marketing.