Asian Journal of Advances in Research

The marine environment plays an essential role in providing food resources, yet it is highly vulnerable to microbial contamination. This study aimed to evaluate the microbial load in the muscle tissue of Siganus rivulatus collected from two coastal sites in Tartous, Syria, and to identify the dominant microbial species. Fish samples were collected seasonally from September 2023 to August 2024. Total aerobic plate count (TAPC) and selective culture media were used for microbial identification. Results showed that the microbial load, ranged between (0.7×10² - 3×10²) cfu/g. It was higher at Tartous Corniche site, with the highest values recorded during summer. Detected microorganisms included Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella sp., and Pseudomonas spp., all within the permissible limits of the Syrian Standard (10⁵–10⁶ cfu/g). These findings indicate that the fish are generally safe for human consumption, although continuous monitoring is recommended.