MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY CASE STUDY OF YELLOWSTRIPE SCAD (Selaroides leptolepis) AT BINTAN CENTRE MARKET IN TANJUNGPINANG CITY

Yellowstripe scad (Selaroides leptolepis) is a main commodity at Bintan Centre Market in Tanjungpinang City with sales volume reaching 2-3 tons per day.Fish handling conditions in this traditional market have problems such as simple storage, unclean equipment, and worker sanitation that does not meet standards which potentially increase pathogenic microorganism contamination.The high sales volume and suboptimal handling conditions can impact food safety of products consumed by the community; thus, a case study is needed to evaluate the microbiological quality of yellowstripe scad.This research aimed to analyze microbiological quality based on Total Plate Count (TPC), Escherichia coli, and Salmonella sp.parameters.The study employed a case study method with descriptive comparative analysis.Samples were collected from three vendors with highest sales volume (front, middle, back sections of market) on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.Testing was conducted using SNI 2332.3:2015 for TPC, SNI 2332.1:2015 for E. coli, and SNI 01-2332.2-2006for Salmonella sp.Results showed TPC values ranging from 2.5 x 10 to 2.9 x 10 cfu/g, still meeting the maximum limit of SNI (5.0 x 10 cfu/g).Tests for E. coli and Salmonella sp.showed negative results.There was a tendency for TPC values to increase toward weekend and in vendors located at back sections.In conclusion, yellowstripe scad marketed has good microbiological quality and is safe for consumption, but handling improvements are needed especially on weekends.