Assessment of the microbial safety of nile perch by-products along the value chain

Abstract

The study assessed the microbial safety of Nile perch (Lates niloticus) byproducts marketed around Kampala. The fish by products samples were collected from a fish processing plant, and a Nile perch byproducts market located in Busega, Kampala, Uganda. Samples were twice in five days interval for isolation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at Microbiology Laboratory of Makerere University, Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Science for analysis. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus auerus w-ere investigated and were present in all examined samples and decreased significantly from the factory to the market. Presence of these bacteria highlight the potential health risk associated with consumption of Nile perch by-products. The study recommends a need for improvement in the handling methods and proper storage techniques to improve safety of the Nile perch by-products.