Abstract

Fish and fish products constitute more than 60% of the total protein intake in adults especially in the rural areas. Fish flesh is one of the best sources of protein. Smoke dried fishes (common carp_big head carp_silver carp) were randomly sampled and purchased from three different marketing sites located at main markets, Astara and Anzali cities. Fifty-five samples of related species were grouped together to make eleven composite samples. Aflatoxins were extracted from the samples according to the method of Seitz and Mohr. 10 g of the fishes samples obtained from each of the markets were weighed aseptically and macerated using a Warring blender and were extracted with chloroform and concentrated. Thin layer chromatography of aflatoxin and samples extracted were performed on silica gel DG 254. Of the extracted samples 5, 10 and 15 μl were spotted on three different points on a ruled base line of the TLC plates. Also 5, 10 and 15 μl of the aflatoxin standard were spotted on another three points near the previous sample extract spotted points. Results obtained from this study showed that Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus tereus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Absidia sp., Rhizopus sp., Aspergillus niger, Mucor sp.,Cladosporum sp., Penicillium italicum, Penicilium viridatus, Candida tropicalis and Fusarium moniliformis were found to be associated with smoked_dried fishes sold in different markets in Guilan Province, Iran.

Key words: Smoked_dried fish, Aflatoxin, Aspergillus flavus, Mycoflora.