Veterinary and Sanitary Examination of Commercially Important Broad Whitefish in Ust-Yansky Municipality, Yakutia

Abstract

This paper presents the results of veterinary and sanitary examination of fish caught in Ust-Yansky Municipality, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Subject to examination was broad whitefish. The goal was to see if the catch was in line with the safety regulations per GOST. To that end, fish freshness was tested organoleptically, physically, chemically, and microbiologically. Veterinary and sanitary examination concluded that all the broad whitefish caught in the Ust-Yansky Municipality was “dubiously fresh” in terms of organoleptic indicators applicable to the mucus, scales, mouth, eyes, gills, fins, anus, muscles, abdominal cavity, and internal organs. Physical and chemical tests (pH, peroxidase reaction, copper sulfate reaction, ammoniacal nitrogen content, and hydrogen sulfide content) returned indicators that matched the category of ‘fresh fish’. Microbiological tests showed that TVC, CFU/g was within the acceptable limit of 1*10⁵, coliforms, S. Aureus, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes were not isolated. Parasitological testing did not detect helminths or their larvae in the muscles. Reason being, fish carry many species of helminths that threaten humans. Toxicological testing revealed Pb content of 1.1±0.2 mg/kg, which did not correspond to the maximum acceptable concentration. HCH and DDT levels were within acceptable limits as well. Radionuclide testing reveled cesium¹³⁷ and strontium⁹⁰ contents within the acceptable concentrations per TR TS 021/2011 Food Safety. Broad whitefish was subjected to all veterinary and sanitary tests, one of which indicated dubious quality.