DOI: 10.2478/cjf-2026-0006
Original scientific paper
Monitoring the Microbial Prevalence in Farmed Trout Species from an Aquaculture Facility in Kosovo
2026, 84 (2) p. 61-70
Kujtim Uka, Besart Jashari, Jehona Haradinaj-Zharku, Vlora Gashi, Xhavit Merovci, Haki Bytyqi, Dijana Blazhekovikj - Dimovska
Abstract
The primary objective of this research was to evaluate and quantify the presence of mesophilic microorganisms on the skin and within the muscle tissue of two species of farmed trout. Fish specimens were obtained during the summer season from a cold-water fish breeding facility situated in the Istog region of the Republic of Kosovo. A total of 10 samples were gathered under sterile conditions, of which 8 were identified as Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum 1792 (Rainbow trout) (OMW1792), while the 2 fish species belonged to Oncorhynchus mykiss, Stevanovski 1987 (Golden Rainbow Trout) (OMS1987). The microbiological analysis of the collected samples was conducted utilizing ISO standard methodologies for analysing mesophilic bacteria, Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriaceae, Coliforms, and Enterococcus faecalis. Results revealed higher contamination on the skin surface compared to muscle tissue, with consistent levels across both trout species. Variations among individuals indicated the influence of handling practices and environmental factors on microbial presence. The analysis showed that Coliforms accounted for 37.13% of microbial presence, followed by other mesophilic bacteria at 35.14% and Enterococcus faecalis at 26.92%, with minimal presence of Escherichia coli and Enterobacteriaceae. The findings underscore the importance of further research into external factors affecting microbial growth in aquaculture environments and suggest the need for systematic monitoring and control measures to enhance hygiene standards in fish farming operations.
Keywords
rainbow trout, aquaculture, fish microbiology, mesophilic bacteria
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