Bacteriological Quality of Mullet (Mugil Cephalus) in Ohiakwu River, Port Harcourt

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue IV, April 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705

Bacteriological Quality of Mullet (Mugil Cephalus) in Ohiakwu River, Port Harcourt

 Lawrence. O. Amadi¹, Janet. O. Williams¹, Osahon. T. Nosayame^1
1Rivers State University, P.M.B. 5080, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract: – The bacteriological quality of the gastrointestinal tracts and gills of mullet (Mugilcephalus) in Ohiakwu River, Port Harcourt were evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively using standard bacteriological method. The results obtained showed that the fish used for this study were at adult stage. Heterotrophic bacteria were highest in the mullet gill than in other fish parts. In all, the bacterial count showed slight significant difference at P≥0.05. Seven (7) bacterial genera were identified (Bacillus species, Vibrio species, Pseudomonas species, Shigella species, Escherichia species, Klebsiella species and Staphylococcus species) with Micrococcus species and Bacilluslentus been the only species isolated in all samples during the study period. The investigation reveals a relatively high concentration of bacterial population in the mullet. The observation of high bacterialload in the mullet especially in the gills indicates that mullet pick up these bacteria from their environment when they feed. High bacterialload in fish gill and intestine is as a result of the fish high metabolic rates together with increase feeding activities. The presence of these organisms in the mullet especially in the gills and gastrointestinal tract can be transferred through the trophic level to humans when we consume these fishes. The knowledge of the microflora of mullet can assist in the management of abnormality that may arise as a prelude to the onset of bacterial diseases in the fish. This knowledge may be helpful in the storage of mullet since bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract may affect the quality and storage of the fish.

Keywords: Mullet, Bacteria population, Ohiakwu River

I. INTRODUCTION

Pathogenic microorganisms are synonymous with contaminated aquatic environment. When their population in the environment is minute, they are no threat, but at large population, they become threat to human and aquatic organisms. The amount to microorganisms in aquatic organisms is a reflection of the abundance of these organisms in the aquatic environment. Bacteria are common inhabitants of aquatic environment, whether river, ponds, streams, lake and even underground water systems. These bacteria are ubiquitous in nature. They have great impact on the aquatic system by causing disease in aquatic organisms as well as in humans [1].Bacterial diseases in fish generally do not develop simply as the result of exposing a host to an infectious agent. In most instances, disease occurs as the result of complex interactions between pathogen, fish and environmental stress, which affect the susceptibility of the host to disease [2].

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