Sample Dilution TVC(cfu/ml) on NA TCF(cfu/ml) on EMB TFC(cfu/ml) on PDA MFSA 1×10-2 TNTC TNTC TNTC   1×10-3 17.2×10-5 8.0×105 4.8×104 MFSB 1×10-2 200 TNTC TNTC   1×10-3 10.8×105 7.4 × 105 3.6×104 MFS­C 1×10-2 TNTC TNTC TNTC   1× 10-3 9.6×10-5 4.2×105 3.2×104

KEY MFS(A) Sample pre-treated with (3%) brine solution (control) MFS(B) Sample pre- treated with mixture of (3%) brine and 1.5 (%) black pepper extract MFS(C) Sample pre-treated with mixture of 3% brine and 3% black pepper extract TNTC: Too numerous to count NA: Nutrient Agar EMB: Eosin Methylene Blue Agar PDA: Potato Dextrose Agar TCF: Total Coliform Count TFC: Total Fungal Count TVC: Total Viable Count CFU/ml (Colony Forming Units Per Millilitre)

Table 2: Total microbial counts on spice pre-treated oven-dried moon fish.