Quality indicators of fish from the water of the southern region of Ukraine

Abstract

A study of the fish caught in the reservoirs of the Khadzhibey estuary (Odesa region) was conducted in order to determine its quality and safety according to microbiological indicators. No pathogenic or conditionally pathogenic microorganisms were found in all the fish samples studied – mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio) and round goby (Neogobius melanostomus). During the study of physico-chemical indicators of water quality and safety of the estuary, water samples were taken for the content of pesticides, insecticides and heavy metals. The content of cadmium, copper, lead and mercury does not exceed the permissible level for fish farms, zinc exceeds the maximum permissible concentration by 2.3 – 3.0 % (depending on the period of the year). The insecticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloromethylmethane was found in the water, the content of which exceeds the maximum allowable concentration for sea fishing ponds by 18 %, and the pesticide beta-hexochlorocyclohexane – by 5.2 %. It has been studied and established that the fish caught in the estuary, according to its microbiological and physicochemical indicators, is safe, does not pose a threat to the health of people and animals, and is suitable for further use and consumption.