Organoleptic, Chemical, Microbiological Quality and Heavy Metal Safety of Traditionally Dried Marine Fish of Bangladesh

Dried fish products are an important part in the diet of people living in both developed and developing
countries of the world. Majority of these products are prepared using traditional methods that help
meet the food and nutritional needs of the people particularly those in the low-income groups. To
protect the health of the consumer, it is important to assess quality and safety of these products. A
study was, therefore, carried out to gain knowledge about organoleptic, chemical, microbiological
quality and heavy metal safety of traditionally dried 6 (six) marine fish of Bangladesh. The products
were judged to be poor to moderately acceptable quality based on organoleptic characteristics such
as colour, odour, texture, insect infestation and presence of broken pieces in the products. Results of
the proximate composition such as moisture, crude protein, lipid and ash content of these products
ranged from 18.56% to 24.20%, 33.56% to 58.22%, 2.74% to 15.44% and 15.87% to 32.22%
respectively. Total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) and peroxide value (PV) were 28.46 ± 0.5 to 42.88
± 4.9 mg N/100g and 46.80 ± 1.9 to 82.70 ± 3.8 m.eq/kg oil respectively, both of which were higher
than the recommended values for dried fish. No harmful coliform bacteria were detected in these
samples while their microbial load ranged from 0.95 × 104 to 1.9 × 105 CFU/g indicating varying levels
of viable bacteria in those products. When the safety aspect in terms of concentrations of cadmium
(Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were evaluated, it was revealed that the
toxic metal Pb was at alarming level, much higher than the limits set by Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO), European Community
Regulation (EU) and United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) guidelines. The remaining
heavy metals were, however, within the permitted limits. These data provide valuable information on
these highly relished dried fish for domestic consumers in order to choose them based on their quality
aspects.