Aims: To identify mold contaminant on salted fish, from two different market locations (Kenjeran market, Surabaya and Beringharjo market, Yogyakarta). Furthermore, levels of AFB1 (aflatoxin B1) in salted fish samples were assayed.
Methodology and results: The samples were cultivated on DRBC (Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar) and DG-18 (Dichloran (18%) Glycerol Agar) medium for enumeration, then transferred on MEA (Malt Extract Agar) medium for isolation and identification, followed by ELISA test to measure the AFB1 level. Meanwhile aflatoxin biosynthesis correlated genes (i.e. aflR, nor-1 and omtB genes) were identified using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method. The results showed that Aspergillus tamarii and Aspergillus flavus being contaminant on salted fish along with Aspergillus sydowii, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus versicolor, Penicillium citrinum, and Penicillium chrysogenum. Rhizopus sp. contamination was also found. AFB 1 was positively detected in all of samples with the highest concentration measured was 75.81 µg/kg which belong to Lidah salted fish and the lowest concentration measured was 4.33 µg/kg which belong to Rese salted fish. The suspected A. flavus and A. tamarii isolated from salted fish was positively detected in the presence of aflR, nor-1 and omtB genes.
Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Mold contamination was detected in salted fish from two different markets and all of those samples were contaminated by AFB1. These can be important information related to food safety aspect for salted fish.