Mountain Top University Library

Fish has a high level of consumer preference because of its natural nutritional content, flavor, and ease of digestion. It is one of the most significant sources of animal protein now on the market and is widely acknowledged as a good source of animal protein and other nutrients for the maintenance of a healthy body. In this study, three different species of smoked-dried fish samples (Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Bonga fish (Ethmalosa fimbriata), Atlantic bumper (Chlorscombrus chrysurus) from four different markets in Ogun State, including Arepo, Ibafo, and Mowe were purchased and aseptically taken to the lab for analysis. The microbiological
qualities, proximate analysis and heavy metal residues of the fish species were investigated. The fungal counts ranged from 1 x 103 – 2 x 103 , 1 x 103 – 5 x 103 , and 2 x 103 – 24 x 103 (cfu/ml) for the fish sampled from Arepo, Ibafo, and Mowe respectively after 72 hrs of incubation. Aspergillus sp. was the dominant fungi from the fish samples. The proximate composition of the
fishes revealed that the protein, ash, moisture, fat, fibre, and Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE) contents ranged from 0.19 – 0.30%, 0.97 – 1.01%, 3.61 – 7.56, 2.50 – 9.70%, 1.20 – 7.45%, and 85.60 – 89.16% respectively, while the heavy metals content for Pb, Cr, Zn, Ni, and Fe ranged from 0.02 – 1.02, 0.003 – 1.69, 0.02 – 0.15, 0.52 – 4.00 (mg/l). Heavy metals contents were above the limit allowed by WHO. Therefore, these findings show that the fishes are unsafe for consumption and there is need to improve the level of preservation. Keyword: Fish, Clarias gariepinus, Ethmalosa fimbriata, Chlorscombrus chrysurus proximate, Heavy metals, Fung