Evaluation of microbiological quality of dried baim (Mastacembelus armatus) in Bangladesh

Abstract

A study was performed for five months to assess the microbiological quality of dried Baim (Mastacembelus armatus) in Sylhet region of Bangladesh. A total of 45 dried samples were randomly collected on monthly basis from three different sources of Sylhet region; one from producer (drying yard of Lamagaji) and others from retail market (Bandar Bazar) and control (prepared in laboratory). The mean total plate count (TPC) of dried Baim from producer, retail market and control were observed 6.20 ± 0.72 ×10⁵, 9.64 ± 1.58 ×10⁵ and 1.61 ± 1.06×10⁵ cfu/g, respectively, whereas, average total fungal count (TFC) were estimated 3.77 ± 0.81 ×10³, 4.65 ± 1.08 ×10³ and 1.78 ± 0.64 ×10³ cfu/g, respectively. TPC and TFC of dried Baim of retail market were found significantly (P<0.05) highest and significantly (P<0.05) lowest in control samples than others. Twenty five samples from each source were analyzed to determine pathogenic E. coli and Salmonella sp. Hundred percent samples of dried Baim of producer and retail market were found contaminated by E. coli whereas; the controlled samples were free of E. coli. Likewise, the dried Baim samples of producer and retail market were contaminated 60% and 80% respectively with Salmonella. Dried baim sample from market was 100%, producer sample was 62% and control sample was 32% contaminated with fungi. The most common fungus species in samples were Aspergillus fumigatus, Fuserium proliferatum and Rhizopus stolonifer. The overall microbiological quality of control samples was comparatively better than the commercially produced dried Baim in Sylhet region.