Chemical and Biological Properties on Sanitary of Cultured Oyster Crassostrea gigas Intended for Raw Consumption or Use in Seafood Products

Oysters Crassostrea gigas are a globally popular shellfish for human consumption. As filter-feeding bivalve mollusks, oysters may harbor many microorganisms and chemicals that could pose potential human health risks. The objective of this study was to investigate the suitability of cultured oysters for raw consumption or use in seafood products by measuring concentrations of harmful microorganisms and chemicals in their flesh. Microbial concentrations in cultured oysters were found to be: $1.0{\times}10^2-6.0{\times}10^4CFU/g$ (viable cell counts), not detected $(ND)-5.4{\times}10^3CFU/g$ (coliform bacteria), $ND-1.3{\times}10^2CFU/g$ (E. coli), and $ND-4.6{\times}10^3CFU/g$ (Vibrio parahaemolyticus). Other pathogenic bacteria, including Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella spp., were not detected in any samples. Heavy metal concentrations of cultured oysters were ND-0.239 mg/kg (total mercury), ND-1.091 mg/kg (lead), ND-0.968 mg/kg (cadmium). The concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene ranged from $0.280-0.880{\mu}g/kg$. Paralytic shellfish poison ranged from ND-0.58 mg/kg, while diarrhetic shellfish poison was not detected. No radioactivity was detected. These results suggest that oysters intended for raw consumption or use in seafood products should be subjected to chemical and biological controls.

양식산 굴(Crassostrea gigas)의 생굴 및 가공소재용으로서 화학적 및 생물학적 위생 특성