ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at assessing the nutrient composition and   microbial quality of smoke-dried catfish in Umuahia metropolis. Fresh catfish samples from Orpet satellite market were purchased and experimentally smoked using a smoking kiln and this served as control (sample A). Smoke-dried fish obtained from Orie-Ugba and Ubani markets designated as sample B and C, respectively were purchased from fish processors after 3days of smoking. The control and market smoke-dried catfish were used to determine the nutrient composition and microbial load using standard procedures. Data used were represented as means (SD). The moisture content ranged from 8.50% to 8.52%, protein content (34.63% to 36.74%), carbohydrate (29.24% to 31.84%), while ash content was from 2.76% to 2.83%. crude fubre ranged from 1.77% to 1.86% and fat content (22.10% to 22.99%). The vitamin A content ranged from 47.10 to 48.33mg/100g, iron content ranged from (11.83 to 12.31mg/100g), zinc content ranged from (1.01 to 1.04mg/100g), calcium (8.96 to 9.23mg/100g), magnesium (26.27 to 27mg/100g) potassium (207 to 213mg/100g) while iodine ranged from 0.011 to 0.018mg/100g. Microorganisms isolated from smoke dried samples were identified as Staphylococcus aureus, Rhizopus spp, Salmonella spp. and Klebsiella spp. The lowest mean microbial count was 23.5cfu/g for the smoke-dried catfish (control), while the highest count of 315cfu/g was from Orie-Ugba (sample B) and Ubani (sample C) markets each. The low microbial load of the control samples guarantees fish quality and safety to consumer. Based on findings, the smoke-dried catfish samples were found to be good sources of nutrients and are microbiologically safe for consumption.