Comparative studies of Organoleptic Quality and Total Bacterial Load Assessment in Indian Major Carps

Fish quality is the result of reflection of culture medium and components fed by fish. So, the aim of the current study was to compare the possible differences in organoleptic quality and bacterial load in pond reared and wild stock of major carps viz; Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala. A total of fifty ( 50) samples of each species of major carps from river and farmed sources were collected from Head Trimu River Chenab at District Jhang and Fisheries Research Farms of University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Maximum bacterial load 18,020±1,301 cfu/gm was observed in wild stock as compared to farmed specimens which have 7,457±938 cfu/gm. All riverine verities of three fish species had firmer and darken texture appearance parallel to farmed species at room temperature. Riverine Catla catla texture was found more firm than Cirrhinus mrigala followed by labeo rohita in farmed specimens respectively. The proficient ecosystem of the river was accountable for dark pigmentation and firmer texture in wild stock. The farm reared fish species display docile tendency as compared to riverine fish species which were agile and active