Microbiological Risk Assessment Of Fresh Water Aquaculture Fish In Malaysia:From Farm To Table

Abstract

The quantitative and qualitative microbiological risk assessment of fresh water aquaculture fish (red Tilapia(Oreochromis sp. red hybrids), Keli (Clarias spp.) and Patin (Pangasius sutchii)) form farms, markets and food premises have been carried out. Three indicator microorganisms as well as seven pathogenic organisms were analyzed. All methods ofanalysis were referred either to APHA (1992), FAO (1988), Food Act (1983), Health Department of Pahang (1997), ICMSF (1980), PHLS (1995) and Swanson (1992). The results showed that there were intermediate microbiological risk in farm and market fish samples and low microbiological risk in ready to eat fish samples. The man value of TPC and coliform in market fish samples were higher and significantly different (p>0.05) than the farm fish samples but the value were lowest in ready to eat fish samples. Pathogenic organisms were not detected or detected at very low level at all stages of the assessment. The present study used risk assessment method along the food product. From this study, it showed that fresh water aquaculture fish are microbiologically safe for human consumption and have potential to be developed.