Abstract

ROMERO-JARERO, Jorge Manuel  and  NEGRETE-REDONDO, María del Pilar. Presence of Gram negative bacteria in fish muscle of commercial importance in the Mexican Caribbean zone. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2011, vol.82, n.2, pp.599-606. ISSN 2007-8706.

The presence of pathogenic microorganisms in muscle of aquatic species with high demand for human consumption can be highly dangerous for public health. Urban growth on the Mexican Caribbean coast zones had increased pollution due to urban residues accumulation. The aim of the present study is to determinate qualitative and quantitative differences in bacterial charge of commercial fish species before and after being processed. Samples of the areas between Contoy Island and Bahía de Ascensión, Quintana Roo, were obtained during commercialization, capture and processing. One hundred and sixty samples were isolated and purified in agar Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, and identified according to Mc Faddin, and Cowan and Steel criteria. Results were analyzed by a panel analysis. Contamination with different species of Streptococcus and Staphlococcus were found from marine environment, handling during commercialization does not increase significantly its presence. The presence of same composition of bacterial groups before and after commercialization showed no significant differences, therefore, contamination is present in marine environment. Data from this study provide important evidence of the potential risk for human consuming contaminated fishes with Streptococcus sp. And Staphylococcus sp. collected from the Mexican Caribbean Sea.

Keywords : pathogenic microorganisms; Streptococcus; muscle of fishes; urban residues; public health; Mexican Caribbean Sea.