EFFECT OF SELECTED HEAT SOURCE ON MICROBIAL LOAD AND WATER HOLDING CAPACITY OF TILAPIA FISH
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.4219Keywords:
Charcoal, gas, microwave,, bacterial count, Oreochromis niloticusAbstract
The influence of three heat sources on the microbial load of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was investigated. Twelve Oreochromis niloticus averaging 658±25g in weight were utilized. The fish flesh was smoked using charcoal, gas, and microwave. Standard technique was used to analyze the microbiological load and water holding capacity (WHC) of the smoked Oreochromis niloticus. The data were analyzed using graph pad prism and one-way ANOVA with a significance level of 0.05. Microwave-smoked Tilapia had the highest microbial count and WHC of 2.00 (CFU/g) and 47.78%, while gas-heated Tilapia had the lowest values of 1.00 (CFU/g) and 37.78%, respectively. Using a gas heat source to smoke Tilapia fish has good potential as a smoking fuel due to its capacity to reduce microbial load, as shown by the results of this experiment.