Microbiological quality of marketed fish and shrimp in San Luis Mextepec in the State of Mexico, Mexico.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the common and widely marketed fishing products in the popular area of San Luis Mextepec, in the state of Mexico belonging to the Mexican Republic to determine the hazards and potential risks to health from consumption of those products.

Design/methodology/approach: Samples of fish fillet and whole shrimp were collected from available fish shops in the popular aquatic food marketing area every week, for a month. The evaluation of their microbiological quality was performed through test aerobic mesophiles, total coliforms, Salmonella, fungi and yeasts.

Results: The analysis of aerobic mesophiles in fish and shrimp indicated that they did not exceed the permissible limits of the health standard, while coliforms in fish and shrimp 50% exceeded the permissible limit in 100% and 50% of the samples respectively. For fungi in fish and shrimp they presented counts that ranged between 8 and 2150 CFU/g, while the yeast values ranged between 95 and 1010 CFU/g. Finally, in the analysis of Salmonella, 50% of fish and shrimp samples tested positive for the presence of the pathogen, exceeding the limit established by health standards and indicating a health risk for consumers.

Limitations on study/implications: This study should be replicated at another time of the year since the type and degree of contamination in fish and shrimp can vary, influencing microbiological hazards and risk to the health of consumers.

Findings/conclusions: The microbiological analysis of marketed fish and shrimp indicated the presence of microbiological contamination that influences their quality and safety, becoming a hazard and public health risk.