Isolation and identification of histamine-producing bacteria in frigate tuna Auxis thazard

Abstract

Histamine is the most common cause of human foodborne illness and is found to be associated with the consumption of fish products especially in scombroid fishes containing unusual levels of histamine. In this study, histamine-producing bacteria in the Frigate Tuna, Auxis thazard samples of the local Ukkadam fish market of Coimbatore were investigated. Among 12 isolates 4 were found to be prominent histamine producing bacteria. An automated microbiology system called VITEK, a biochemical test analyzer was used for the identification of bacteria, and four isolates were tentatively identified as Sphingomonas paucimobilis; Proteus vulgaris; Providencia rustigianii, and Neisseria zoodegmatis. The isolation of histamine-producing bacteria from the muscle emphasizes the possible importance of muscle as a reservoir for bacterial contamination. The study suggests that the practice of more hygienic and sanitary conditions during the handling and processing of fish is required to minimize the contamination of such histamine-producing bacteria.