The damaged flesh showed a higher level of mesophilic
microorganisms (1.7 × 105 CFU/g) than that of the undamaged
flesh (9 × 104 CFU/g); however, this difference was not significant
(P ≤ 0.05). Guillén-Velasco et al. (2004) found that bluefin tuna
skin showed a higher total viable count than that of the muscle.
The origin of the external contamination of tuna is associated
with the contamination of the seawater, freezing brine, handling
operations, and fresh water used for thawing tuna (GILL;
PENNEY, 1977; CRAVEN et al., 2001; LORCA et al., 2001).