Abstract

TORRES, María M. Microbiological evaluation and staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin detection in shellfish and vegetable salads. Rev. Cient. (Maracaibo) [online]. 2008, vol.18, n.6, pp.739-744. ISSN 0798-2259.

Mollusks represent an important fishing product in Venezuela’s easthern region. Inadequate hygienic conditions applied in its preparation and sale at the beaches indicate the importance of a strict sanitary control. The objective of this research was to evaluate the microbiological quality and detect enterotoxins of Staphylococcus aureus in mollusks and vegetable salads sold at Margarita Island beaches during 2004-2005. Sixty three sample units were analyzed from to 21 samples, finding that 47.6% of them surpassed the 10 MPN/g of E coli. 79.3% had counts higher than 10⁵CFU/g of aciduric microorganisms, and 57.1% higher than 10⁴CFU/g of mesophilic aerobic. Staphylococcal enterotoxins were detected in 8% of the samples (of 4.8% type A and 3.2% of type B). In general, 64.3% of the samples did not fulfill some of the microbiological requirements. A significant relation (r of Pearson) exists between the counts of mesophilic aerobic and those of aciduric microorganisms (r= 0.52; P<0.05), as well as between fecal coliforms and S. aureus (r= 0.43; P<0.05). These findings suggest the breach of several hygienic norms. As a conclusion, these salads convey a high risk of generating health problems to those who consume them.

Keywords : Mollusks salad; enterotoxins; Staphylococcus aureus; food handling.