ABSTRACT

The study determined the effects of preservation and storage of fish by traders in Ubani market on the fish quality. The samples were purchased from Ubani market in hmuahia. A total of 25 fish traders were selected through purposive sampling. A well structured questionnaire was used to ohtain Jata from the traders. The proximate composition of the fish samples were determined according to standard. Microbiological analysis was carried out using standard procedures. Ten (10) panelists were used for the sensory evaluation using a 9-point hedonic scale. Statistical package for social science was used to analyze for frequencies and percentages while ANOVA was used to analyze data from the proximate and microbial analysis. DUNCAN multiple range test was used for the separation of means. The market survey showed that majority of the traders were female and they sold iced fish, smoked fish, dried fish, crayfish and stock fish, employed different means of preservation especially the use of insecticides and 32% sold at cheaper rates as a marketing strategy. The results of the proximate analysis showed an increase in protein and lipid content due to preservation. The protein content of the freshly purchased samples ranged from 25.27% to 62.93% and that of the preserved samples ranged from 52.34% to 75.21 %. The total microbial loads of the fish reduced due to preservation (5.50x10--2.58x10 cfu/g).The fish samples as purchased were more acceptable to the panelists than the preserved samples. The study showed that preservation had positive as wel I as negative effects on the quality aspects of fish.