MYCOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF DRIED FISH AND STOCK FISH SOLD IN OZORO MARKET

Dried fish and stock fish are largely consumed as a source of nutrient by man. It has been established that fish food can act as vehicle for transmission of some mycological pathogens especially in immune compromised individuals. Sixteen (16) different samples of fish were bought from Ozoro central market in four different locations. The samples were labeled sample A (dried fish) and sample B (stock fish). A total of four (4) fungi species were isolated from the test samples: Aspergillus niger, Candida albican, Penicillium species and Rhizopus oryzae. Aspergillus niger has the highest plate count of 7.7x103 , and 5.6x103 and 0.3x103 for both samples. While Penicillium species has the least plate count of 0.3x103 Aspergillus niger have the highest percentage (%) occurrence for both samples of 52.275%, while penicillium species have the least percentage (%) occurrence of 08.33%. The total mean cfu/g count for sample A is 10.08cfu/g while for sample B is 09.08cfu/g. the occurrence of Aspergillus spp, Penicillium spp, and Candida spp could lead to mycotoxin Elaboration and when consumed, they induce gastrointestinal and metabolic disturbance. Key words; Mycological, dried fish, stock fish, Assessment, Market