Evaluation of Insect Infestation on Commercially Smoked Fresh and Marine Water Fish in Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The research was conducted to evaluate insect infestation on some smoked commercial fresh and marine water Fish in Mubi, Adamawa State of Nigeria. Fish species namely: Clarias gariepinus, Oreochromis niloticus, Synodontis budgetti, Scomber scumbrus, Clupea harengus and Sardinellar. aurita were obtained from Shagari low-cost fish market Mubi. The fishes were processed using Adamawa State University Smoking kiln (ADSU). The processed fishes were stored for six (6) months under room temperature and were examined virtually with hand magnifying lens for insects infestation count. Analyzed data showed no insect infestation count for the first two months December 2023 to January 2024. Monthly infestation count showed significant differences at p<0.05 with highest values in February on C. gariepinus (16.83± 0.19), March; S. scumbrus (14.42± 0.25), April; S. scumbrus (95.00± 0.28), May; C. harengus (348.50± 0.29) with least values on fresh water fishes with S. budgetti throughout the month of storage February (0.83± 0.19), March (5.17± 0.25), April; (23.75± 0.28), May; (171.58± 0.29). Identified insect pest were Dermestes maculatus and Necrobia rufibes they lavish the fish product causing substantial damage to the stored fishes, with the highest infestation of N. rufibes observed in February on C. gariepinus (32.50± 0.27), S. scumbrus; March (79.80± 0.25), April (166.83± 0.29), May (495.17± 0.40), with least values on D. maculatus in February on C. harengus (0.83± 0.27), March on S. budgetti (1.17± 0.25), April on O. niloticus (13.50±0.29), May on S. aurita (66.50±0.40).The result obtained in the study clearly indicate that smoked fresh water fishes showed longer shelf life of 3-4 months while smoked marine fishes showed a shelf life of 1-2 months. Therefore it’s recommended that fish should not be kept longer to avoid spoilage and unacceptability to consumers.