MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDY OF FROZEN FISH COMMERCIALIZED IN MANAUS – AM (BRAZIL)

Abstract

Forty-five frozen fish samples were analysed, including 15 of tucunare (Cichla ocellaris), 15 of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), and 15 of pirarucu (Arapaima gigas), between July 1992 and March 1993. It was carried out microorganisms counts such as mesophilic and psychrophi1ic, total and faecal coliforme, as well as the research on S.aureus and Salmonella sp. Thirty three samples (73,4%) were positive for faeca1 coliforms and 9 (20%), to S.aureus, out of microbiologica1 standard of quality. The Salmonella sp research was negative, but the counts of mesophilic and psychrophilic microorganisms indicated contamination. These results showed that, storage and handling of raw material were not appropriate.