Microbiological media and enumeration
0.1 mL samples of serial dilutions (1:10, diluents,
0.1 % peptone water) of fish homogenates were
spread on the surface of dry media. Total viable
counts (mesophilic aerobic bacteria) were determined
using plate count agar (PCA, Merck, Cat No:
105463) after incubation for 24–48 h at 37 C. Psychrotrophic
bacteria were determined using plate
count agar after incubation for 10 days at 7 C
(Baumgart 1986). Pseudomonas spp. were enumerated
on cetrimide agar (Merck, Cat No. 105284) and
incubated at 37 C for 2 days (Pichhardt 1998). Results
are expressed as a logarithm of colony forming units
(log CFU) per gram of sample.