STATUS OF COMMERCIAL SHRIMP, FENEROPENEAUS INDICUS (INDIAN PRAWN) FROM PUTHIYAPPA HARBOUR, KOZHIKODE, KERALA WITH RESPECT TO CONSUMER SAFTEY.

The Levels of contaminants in fish are of particular interest, because of high potential risks to humans who consumes them. In the present study,commercially important marine Indian prawn- Fenneropeneausindicus samples were collected from harbour (Fish Harbour Centre, Puthiyappa , Kozhikode district, Kerala), local market, super market and processing centre (Uniroyal Marine Exports Ltd., Vengalam, Kozikode district, Kerala). Biochemical composition such as protein, carbohydrate, fat, ash, moisture content and calorific contents were determined in the muscle tissues of collected prawn samples. Microbial qualities were analyzed to detect the presence of human pathogenic microbes such as E.coli, Vibrio colerae, Pseudomonas aerugenosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella shigella. Contamination of heavy metals namely Zinc, Mercury, Lead, Cadmium and Chromium were also evaluated using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric method. Maximum Protein content (24.6 g/100mg) and calorific content (134.521 kcal/gm) observed in supermarket samples when compared to other samples. Fat content (0.80g/100mg) was obtained maximum in processing centre samples. The heavy metal contaminants include Zn, Hg, Pb, Cd and Cr was below the detectable limit (0.01%) in all the samples. The highest total plate count at 370C was observed in local market and the presence of human pathogenic microbes such as E. coli and Staphylococcusaureus was also noted. Therefore, it can be concluded that Fenneropeneausindicus (Indian prawn) from harbour, local market, super market and processing center are safe to consume in terms of biochemical, microbial quality and heavy metal concentration and do not constitute a risk for human health.