Assessment of fungal growth in Mukene (rastrineobola argentea) from St. Balikuddembe market, Kampala Uganda

Abstract

The silver cyprinid, R. argentea is a highly nutritious and low-cost source of proteins, especially for low-income population. R. argentea is ranked among the three most important commercial fish species in Uganda, after Nile tilapia and Nile perch. Poor handling and storage of R. argentea promote growth of harmful fungi that cause deterioration, hence lowering quality of the fish posing health risks to consumers, and yet the problem has not been given much attention. This study was aimed at describing the handling, storage and hygienic practices for dry silver cyprinid, R. argentea from both stalls and stores and relate them to the levels of fungal contamination. With high humid conditions, poor handling and storage practices that Rastrineobola argentea is subjected to in the market, fungal growth is accelerated. Growth of fungi that are known to produce toxins, for instance Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp. and Penicillium sp. which produce aflatoxins is of great importance, since continuous consumption of such fungi may potentially pose health threat to consumers. Both traders in stalls and stores kept their Rastrineobola argentea in gunny sacks laid on the ground, although it was always in the open ambient temperatures in stalls. Most fish traders in stores observed standard operating procedures by putting on aprons (92 %) and hand gear (82 %) while handling fish, unlike in stalls where most traders did not put on aprons (72 %) and hand gear (64 %). This clearly showed that standard hygiene levels, handling and storage practices were less observed, hence the higher abundance of fungi in R. argentea samples obtained from stalls. R. argentea sold in St. Balikuddembe market was therefore contaminated with fungi. Traders who deal in R. argentea should improve personal and environmental hygiene when handling and displaying the fish for sale.