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Published on: November 8, 2016
Enumeration of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oyster tissues following artificial contamination and depuration
1Department of Food Science & Technology and Bor Luh Food Safety Center, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China.
Aims:
To evaluate enumeration of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oyster tissues following artificial contamination and depuration.
Methods And Results:
After inoculating with V. parahaemolyticus (ATCC 17802) and incubating for 24 h, the contaminated oysters were depurated with artificial seawater for 14 days. At each step, the tissue homogenate supernatants of oysters were spread-plated onto thiosulfate-citrate-bile salt-sucrose agar, followed by colony confirmation by the polymerase chain reaction. The pathogen was detected in the gills, digestive glands (including stomach, digestive ducts and digestive diverticula), adductor muscle and mantle cilia. After a 48-h depuration period at 17-19 degrees C, the retention rate of V. parahaemolyticus in the gills (28.1%) and digestive glands (13.5%) was higher than that in adductor muscle and mantle cilia (1.4 and 2.4%, respectively).
Conclusions:
The population of V. parahaemolyticus in the digestive glands was the highest among all tissues tested, followed by the gills. The data indicate that digestive glands and gills are good sample candidates for direct monitoring of V. parahaemolyticus contamination in oysters.
Significance And Impact Of The Study:
This is the first report on the dynamics of V. parahaemolyticus in various oyster tissues following artificial contamination and depuration. This study provides information to help in monitoring for V. parahaemolyticus in commercial oysters.
Insights
This study tracked Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oysters after contamination and depuration. Digestive glands and gills showed the highest pathogen retention, suggesting them as key monitoring sites for V. parahaemolyticus.
Area of Science:
- Marine microbiology
- Food safety
- Bivalve aquaculture
Background:
- Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a significant cause of seafood-borne illness.
- Oysters are filter feeders and can accumulate V. parahaemolyticus from contaminated waters.
- Effective monitoring strategies are crucial for ensuring oyster safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify Vibrio parahaemolyticus levels in various oyster tissues after artificial contamination.
- To assess the pathogen's distribution and persistence during depuration.
- To identify optimal oyster tissues for monitoring V. parahaemolyticus.
Main Methods:
- Oysters were artificially contaminated with V. parahaemolyticus.
- Tissue samples (gills, digestive glands, adductor muscle, mantle cilia) were analyzed.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for pathogen confirmation.
- Depuration was performed in artificial seawater for 14 days.
Main Results:
- V. parahaemolyticus was detected in gills, digestive glands, adductor muscle, and mantle cilia.
- After 48 hours of depuration, higher retention rates were observed in gills (28.1%) and digestive glands (13.5%).
- Digestive glands exhibited the highest V. parahaemolyticus population among all tested tissues.
Conclusions:
- Digestive glands and gills are recommended as primary sample sites for monitoring V. parahaemolyticus in oysters.
- This research provides valuable data for public health strategies and commercial oyster safety.
- Understanding pathogen dynamics in oyster tissues aids in developing effective food safety protocols.
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