Assessing parasitic contamination in Katsuwonus pelamis

ABSTRACT Katsuwonus pelamis is a fish resource of high economic value and widely used in the fish processing industry, mainly for canned products. This study aimed to identify the parasitic fauna of Katsuwonus pelamis by morphological methods, to analyze the potential impact on industry and consumers. For the evaluation of parasitological contamination, fifty-three animals were visually inspected and the structures with morphology consistent with parasitic forms were analyzed stereoscopically, microscopically, and by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Two genera of zoonotic parasites have been found: Anisakis sp. (Nematoda) and Trypanorhyncha gen. sp. (Cestoda). Of the 53 samples analyzed, 96% showed parasite contamination. The most affected organs were the intestine, muscle tissue, and stomach, with 596, 441, and 408 parasites, respectively. These results highlight the importance of sanitary inspection and emphasize the importance of immediate evisceration to avoid the migration of larvae from the viscera to the musculature.