Nutritive quality and microbial assessment of stored smoked dried Gymnarchus niloticus Cuvier, 1829

Abstract

The Proximate composition and Microbial load of smoke-dried Gymnarchus niloticus from Mobil fish market Minna Niger state was  assessed to study changes related to belated consumption over a period of 28 days. A total of 15 fish samples shared from different  traders were assessed. Values of proximate composition were significantly different (p<0.05) through the study. The crude protein and ash increased from 56.19 (Day 1) to 85.96 (Day 28) and 9.94 (Day 1) to 17.12 (Day 28) respectively while the moisture and lipid declined from 15.14 (Day 1) to 5.43 (Day 28) and 24.09 (Day 1) to 9.82 (Day 28) respectively. Mineral contents: Na, K, Ca and Fe  changed significantly (p<0.05). Microbiological properties fluctuated through the period of assessment but were within acceptable limits. The fungi isolated were Penicillium and Aspergillus niger, while the bacterial species identified were Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella spp and E. coli. The nutritive quality of the smoke-dried Gymnarchus niloticus was wholesome at the time of purchase however the decline in lipid and presence of potentially harmful microorganism makes it of relatively reduced quality and potentially harmful for direct consumption after 28 days of storage under ambient conditions.