Total bacteriological and coliforms counts in frozen fish fillets in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

The microbiological quality of frozen fish fillets was studied through the total bacteriological counts in the Greater Rio de Janeiro. Ten different brands of fish fillets were analyzed, in a total of 34 samples. The average results were: a) mesophilic aerobic (30°C): 1.6 x 10⁴ to 2.3 x 10⁷ cells/g; b) psychrophilic aerobic (± 5°C): 5.7 x 10⁴ to 2.4 x 10⁷ cells/g; c) psychrophilic aerobic (± 15°C): 3.5 x  10⁵ to 3.8 x 10⁷ cells/g; d) mesophilic anaerobic (30°C): 9.0 x 10⁴ to 1.7 x 10⁷ cells/g; e) coliforms (M.P.N.): 0 to 230 coliforms/g. It was concluded that the sanitary quality of the frozen fish filets analyzed, is not meeting the standard requirements, in relation to the count per gram of bacteria and to the presence of coliforms.