Assessment of pathogenic microbial contamination in fish and environmental samples in Ambon City, Indonesia: A preliminary study

¹ Research Center for Food Technology and Processing, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia
² Research Center for Marine and Fisheries Product Processing and Biotechnology, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: Radestya.Triwibowo@brin.go.id

Abstract

This preliminary study investigated pathogenic microbial contamination on fish landed in Ambon City, Indonesia, and evaluated the presence of microbial foodborne pathogens in both fish and environmental samples. The study used a rapid dry sheet media as an in-situ presumptive assay and a PCR method as a confirmatory assay. The results indicated the presence of various foodborne pathogenic bacteria, including V. parahaemolyticus, Salmonella spp., and E. coli, in the water and fish basket samples. Three out of thirty-six fish samples were also contaminated with these bacteria. Although the presumptive Listeria assay showed high positive results (36/81), none of them were confirmed as Listeria monocytogenes by PCR assay, indicating that a rapid dry sheet media may not be suitable as an in-situ rapid screening assay for fish and environmental samples. The study highlights the need for better sanitation and hygiene practices, especially at ERI Traditional Fish Landing in Ambon, and may help competent authorities and the seafood industry to implement effective control measures to ensure food safety and public health.