Avaliação do frescor do pescado congelado comercializado no mercado municipal de São Francisco do Conde- BA

This study aimed to evaluate the frozen seafood commercialized at the Municipal Market of Sao Francisco do Conde-BA. Seventy-two samples of seafood were collected, comprised of twelve samples for each one of the following species: sea bass (Centropomus undecimalis), mullet (Mugil brasiliensis), shrimp (Penaeus brasiliensis), mussel (Mytella guyanensis), oyster (Crassostrea rhizophorae), and blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). Analyses were carried out to determine pH and total volatile bases (TVB) and Eber test for sulfidric gas and ammonia, following methodologies established by the Instituto Adolfo Lutz and Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply. Results showed that 62.5% of the samples were above the limit allowed by the legislation for pH, 27.8% for total volatile bases, and 70.8% for sulfudric gas. Regarding Eber test for ammonia, 40.3% of the samples were positive, being failing to comply with technical recommendations. A percentage of 90.3% of non-compliance with the legislation was observed for the whole set of samples. Crustaceans were the group that showed the highest rate for not achieving standards. The study analyzes these non-conformities as being probably resulting from inadequate hygiene conditions, as well as from insufficient of the conservation methods, from the catching to the selling. It points out potential risks for consumer’s health of this products and the need for structuring measures, with the objective of strenghtening this production chain at a local level.