INSECT INFESTATION AND BACTERIAL LOAD OF SMOKED DRIED CATFISH (Clarias gariepinus) IN SELECTED MARKETS OF BAUCHI LOCAL GOVERNMENT, BAUCHI- STATE

Abstract

Evaluation of insect infestation and bacterial load in smoked-dried Clarias gariepinus was carried out to determine insect pest and bacterial contaminants in some selected markets of Bauchi Local Government (Wunti, Muda Lawal, Railway and Yelwa) which constituted a dietary intake of inhabitants of Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria. Eighty smoked-dried Clarias gariepinus (1500g) were bought from the markets. Dermestes maculatus was 1003 (85%), Necrobia rufipes, 281 (11%) and Calliphora spp: 9 (4%). Insect pest populations and their developmental stages showed that larvae was the highest with: 1681 (86%), pupae was least, 9 (1%). Muda Lawal had the highest 931 (52%) insects and lowest in Yelwa 168 (11%). There was significance difference (P < 0.05) between insect populations in smoked-dried C. gariepinus in the markets. Bacterial load in fish samples was determined using pour plate method and characterization of various isolates were based on biochemical tests. Mean bacterial count in smoked- dried C. gariepinus were found to be higher in the third week and lower in the first week of sample collection. Bacteria species isolated revealed that Staphylococcus spp was highest (60%) while Bacillus species was lowest: (5%). Retailed smoked-dried C. gariepinus were highly infected with the insect Dermestes maculatus and Staphylococcus spp. Clarias gariepinus obtained from fishers should be properly preserved.