International Journal of
Fisheries and Aquaculture

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Fish. Aquac.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2006-9839
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJFA
  • Start Year: 2010
  • Published Articles: 235

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of gamma irradiation on the microbiological quality and shelf life of Engraulis encrasicolus in Ghana

Stella Agyemang Duah
  • Stella Agyemang Duah
  • Radiation Technology Centre, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Accra, Ghana.
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Geoffrey Emi-Reynolds
  • Geoffrey Emi-Reynolds
  • Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Accra, Ghana.
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Patrick Kumah
  • Patrick Kumah
  • Department of Horticulture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
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Daniel Agyarko Larbi
  • Daniel Agyarko Larbi
  • Radiation Technology Centre, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Accra, Ghana.
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  •  Received: 09 November 2017
  •  Accepted: 20 February 2018
  •  Published: 30 March 2018

Abstract

The effect of irradiation on microbial load and shelf-life of anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus) was assessed in this study. Irradiation doses used in the study were 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 kGy. The assessment was carried out at 3 weeks intervals for the period of 9 weeks. Samples were analyzed for microbial load (total viable count, total coliform count and Staphylococcus aureus). Smoked samples were more contaminated as compared to sun-dried samples from both locations. A dose dependent effect was observed in all the samples obtained from both Chorkor and Keta (p<0.05). Samples from Keta were less contaminated for both smoked and sundried samples as compared to the samples from Chorkor whether sun dried or smoked (p<0.05). At 2.5 kGy, microbial load levels (CFU/g) for total viable count, total coliform count and S. aureus were below the standard (CFU/g of microbial load) set by the Ghana Standards Authority for microbial load in fish. This dose is the most appropriate dose for the decontamination and shelf extension of anchovy from Ghana.

Key words: Microbial load, processing methods, irradiation dose, shelf-life.

 

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