| Recently import competition from Vietnamese basa (Pangasius bocourti ), also known as "Mekong catfish", has come to U.S. farm-raised channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). This study compared the microbiological, sensory, and nutritional profiles of the two fish species available to consumers. Farm-raised catfish had significantly greater (p ≤ 0.05) aerobic plate count (APC) (4.4 log10 cfu/g), psychrotrophic plate count (PPC) (4.6 log10 cfu/g), and total coliform count (TCC) (1 log10 cfu/g) than basa (3.8, 3.8, and 0.2 log10 cfu/g, respectively). Fecal coliform count (FCC) of farm-raised catfish (0.2 log 10 cfu/g) and basa (0.1 log10 cfu/g) were not significantly different (p > 0.05). Neither fish had E. coli/E. coli O157:H7. The percentage incidence of Listeria monocytogenes was greater (p ≤ 0.05) for U.S. farm-raised catfish (37%) than for basa (7%). Incidence of Salmonella on farm-raised catfish (33%) and basa (50%) were not significantly different (p > 0.05). Vibrio cholerae was absent in basa but U.S. farm-raised catfish had 7% incidence. Both fish species had microbial quality indices below limits of concern. On the sensory aspect, basa fish had greater (p ≤ 0.05) sensory quality than farm-raised catfish. Basa fish had greater flavor and overall liking scores than farm-raised catfish. Proximate composition of the two species was similar except for crude fat, which was greater in farm-raised catfish. Farm-raised catfish and basa fish were equally poor sources of omega-3 fatty acids and crude fiber. Cholesterol content was 53.18 mg/100g (basa) and 53.86 mg/100g (farm-raised). Negative public comments about the quality and safety of basa were not reflected in current data. That L. monocytogenes, Salmonella , and V. cholerae were found in some samples suggests possible food safety concerns with both species. |
