Microbiota of frozen Vietnamese catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) marketed in Belgium

Abstract

Background: Vietnamese catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) is highly appreciated in many European countries, the U.S., Canada, Japan etc. This paper presents an overview of the microbiota of frozen Vietnamese catfish products marketed in Belgium. Samples of Pangasius steaks, portions and fillets from six brands were collected from supermarkets located in Ghent, Belgium. Results: The total psychrotrophic and mesophilic aerobic counts of the samples evaluated from each brand did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) and ranged from 3.8-5.2 log CFU/g and 3.8-4.8 log CFU/g, respectively. Lactic acid bacteria counts varied from 2.2 to 4.1 log CFU/g while the counts of presumptive Enterobacteriaceae ranged from 1.6 to 3.8 log CFU/g. A total of 132 isolates were collected from the plates used to enumerate the microbial parameters mentioned above. Fourteen different genera and 18 different species were identified by means of 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The most prevalent genera of Lactococcus (31.2 %), Staphylococcus (11.7 %), Serratia (10.4 %), Acinetobacter (9.1 %), Enterococcus (7.8 %) and Pseudomonas spp. (6.5 %) were identified by means of 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Conclusion:The results obtained provide an overview of the dominant microbiota on frozen Pangasius which is useful for the development of appropriate preservation techniques for thawed Pangasius products.

Development of a MALDI–TOF MS-Based Protein Fingerprint Database of Common Food Fish Allowing Fast and Reliable Identification of Fraud and Substitution

“…Food fish usually carry microbial microflora. − Observed bacterial cell numbers highly depend on storage conditions such as cooling, freezing parameters, and storage time. , In theory, the protein load resulting from filet-borne bacteria may affect clear identification of the filet. To assess the impact of bacterial proteins in the present study, E. coli biomass was added to three different fish filet samples, G. macrocephalus , Sander lucioperca , and Solea solea in a mass fraction of ∼1 and ∼10% (w/w).…”

Bacteria of Zoonotic Interest Identified on Edible Freshwater Fish Imported to Australia

“…A variety of zoonotic bacterial species have been identified in imported vacuum packed and frozen catfish ( Pangasius ) fillets [ 55 , 56 , 57 ]. Vibrio fluvialis and Salmonella spp., which cause intense diarrhoea, have been identified on fresh and frozen fish offered for retail sale [ 58 , 59 , 60 ] or in water or fish at FF facilities [ 61 , 62 , 63 ].…”