Post-harvest bacterial contamination of fish, their assessment and control strategies

Contaminação bacteriana pós-captura de peixes, análise e estratégias de controle

Abstract

Healthy fish populations lead to healthy aquatic ecosystems and it is our responsibility to be a part of the solution. Fish is one of the most favored foods and is suitable for people of all ages. Fish is an essential source of protein, vitamins, and minerals and a source of income for millions of people. Human population growth and climate change are putting a strain on our food system, demanding the development of sustainable services to enhance global food production and its security. Food safety is an intricate problem in both developed and developing countries. Fresh fish is a highly perishable food with a limited life span; as a result, it must be delivered and kept carefully to minimize deterioration and assure safety. Fish spoilage is linked to biochemical changes that occur post-harvest, such as storage and transportation. These modifications can account for fish spoilage by altering the taste, texture, and appearance. Fish harvesting, distribution, and post-harvest handling are all unhygienic, resulting in poor and unpredictable fish quality in the market. Many innovative and effective control measurements of various bacteria in fish have been proposed and evaluated. This review is a systematic approach to investigating post-harvest fish spoilage, its assessment, and control strategies.

Keywords:
fish spoilage; contamination; foodborne pathogens; bacteria; microbial assessment