Quality Assessment and Comparison of Three Different Types of Fish Retail Outlets of Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

In India, fish consumers prefer three types of retail markets viz., local dry fish market, local fresh fish market and supermarket wherein no stringent food safety measures are followed and monitored. Hence, the present study was planned to analyze food safety parameters for different outlets by collecting equal numbers of fish samples from all three markets of Navi Mumbai region. Proximate composition, biochemical and microbiological parameters were evaluated. Antibiogram for the isolated Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli from these fishes was studied. In dry fish market, most of the fish had higher total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and formaldehyde than permissible level. In present evaluation, formaldehyde content of fishes from different markets exhibited a higher percentage than the recommended value. Local retail fresh fish market samples had higher levels of Aerobic Plate Count (APC), E. coli and S. aureus. One sample from dried fish market exceeded the permissible limit of APC. Supermarket samples contained all the microbial and biochemical levels within the limit but exhibited higher formaldehyde content. Multiple drug resistant bacteria also existed in both local and supermarket samples. Monitoring authorities of India need to monitor the quality of fish in different markets at regular interval and strict action may be taken for seafood safety.