Abstract

GONZALEZ, Mayelys et al. Microbiological quality of the oyster crassostrea rhizophorae and extraction waters, Sucre State, Venezuela . Rev. Cient. (Maracaibo) [online]. 2009, vol.19, n.6, pp.659-666. ISSN 0798-2259.

In beaches of Sucre State commonly the oyster Crassostrea rhizophorae is consumed without knowing the microbial load microbial that may be presenting. For such motive, the microbiology quality of C. rhizophorae and water samples of three stations from natural bank in Laguna Grande of Obispo was evaluated, to check the compliance of microbiological requirements established by the Food and Drugs Administration of United States (FDA) and Sanitary Venezuelan Legislation. Monthly samplings between August 2005 and July 2006 was realized, determining the MPN/100 mL of coliforms totals (TC) and faecal coliforms (FC) in water samples, whereas in bivalves MPN of TC, FC and Escherichia coli (EC) was quantified for gram of oyster, further to detection Salmonella spp. The results obtained of TC and FC, in water samples of the three stations, fulfilled in majority of the months, with the requirements mentioned above. During the months sampling and between analyzed stations, considerable variations was observed in values of FC and EC that were between 0 and 2.4 × 10⁴ MPN/g oyster. The limits allowed for FC and EC (230 MPN/g oyster) were exceeded by the FC on all stations during August, December 2005, and also in March, May and June 2006, whereas EC exceded only in December 2005, and March and May 2006. Salmonella spp. was detected on first and second station in September 2005, on the third station for December of the same year, and second and third station for May and July 2006. The obtained results reflect high risk of consuming these mollusks without having being before submitted to depuration.

Keywords : Crassostrea rhizophorae; natural bank; faecals coliforms; Escherichia coli.