Resumo

Fish is a food containing high biological value nutrient, very susceptible to deterioration and may cause health problems due to deficient practices of appropriate commercialization. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the hygienic-sanitary conditions of the fish selling free open markets in the city Cachoeira, Bahia. The samples were collected every month between November 2013 to February 2014, in the fish selling free open markets. Twenty one samples were analyzed, 7 fishes and 14 bivalve mollusks processed (seven samples of sururu (Mytella guyanensis) and seven samples of “chumbinho” (Anamalocardia brasiliana)), from six different boxes in the market. Physico-chemical parameters (pH, temperature, ammonia reaction, reaction of hydrogen sulfide) and sensorial characteristics (appearance of the eyes, gills, muscle, skin pigmentation, stiffness of the flesh), and the presence of Vibrio species were evaluated. According to the results of visual inspection, the structural dynamics of the market lies with critical indices of inadequacy when compared to the requirements of the current legislation. Four samples (57.14%) showed a "regular" classification and 42.86% presented "good" state of freshness. The muscle fish temperature reached ranging from 27° C to 30° C. For the pH analysis, 71.42% of the samples showed values from 5.0 to 6.7, below the minimum quality standards of freshness. The presence of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia were detected in the 71.42% out of 100% of fish samples. The presence of Vibrio sp. was detected in the fish samples (41.6%) and sururu samples (41.6%), and a lower incidence in the “chumbinho” samples (16.7%). Twelve Vibrio sp. were phenotypically identified, highlighting the strains of Vibrio cholerae (2), V. vulnificus (1) and V. mimicus (3), serving as a warning because of its pathogenic potential. The hygienic-sanitary market conditions are below the standards of legislation, which may compromise the quality of the products sold. The fish showed a low degree of freshness, besides the presence of the genus Vibrio sp. associated with human gastroenteritis.