Evaluation of the Quality of Commercial Fish Feeds in India with Respect to Microbiological Parameters

This paper describes the first comprehensive study of the quality of commercial fish feeds in India with regard to microbiological indices. Quality of feed is an important parameter that has a direct impact on the outcome of any aquaculture system. Microbiological parameters such as total plate count (TPC), Escherichia coli (CFUg-1), coliformes (CFUg-1), Enterobacteriaceae (CFUg-1) and yeast and mould (CFUg-1) counts were analysed using 3M™ Petrifilm™ as per guidelines. The TPC ranged from 2.0 × 102 to3.13 × 104 CFUg-1 in different feeds. Presence of E. coli was detected in one of the feeds with 1.15×102 CFUg-1. Coliform bacteria were not detected in any of the feeds. Enterobacteriaceae was present in three feeds in the range of 5.45 × 102 to 1.58×103 CFUg-1. Yeast and mould count ranged from <10 to 1.68 × 104 CFUg-1 in the feeds analyzed. The results obtained from the present study indicate that the feeds were contaminated with micro-organisms. As far as Indian scenario is concerned, there exist several feed companies which do not comply with the quality regulations and specifications as laid down by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). In addition, specifications are not available for aqua feeds regarding the acceptable levels of microbiological parameters. Hence the present study calls for a standardized code of quality to be observed by feed manufacturing companies for quality products.