Microbiological
controls across the productive cycle of Dicentrarchus labrax L. and Sparus
aurata L.: a study from the environment to the final product
G. Caruso, G. Maimone, M. Mancuso, A.
Modica, L. Genovese-2004
Aquaculture
Research, 35(2):
184-193
Abstract:
The microbiological quality of water,
sediments and seafood products of three Sicilian marine fish farms
(Castellammare Gulf, Capo d'Orlando and Porto Palo) was investigated in
order to draw a complete picture of the health conditions from the start
(environment) to the end (seafood product) of the productive cycle. Before
the beginning of fish farming, low concentrations of faecal contamination
indicators (faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci) were
found in the water of each examined area. Due to the enhanced organic load
released from cages, the set-up of fish farming significantly altered the
distribution of faecal indicators and sometimes that of halophilic vibrios
in the pelagic compartment. Significant differences in the density of
heterotrophic bacteria were sometimes recorded at the sediment level.
Despite this increase in microbial abundance, the microbiological conditions
remained acceptable for the productive process. Pathogens (Salmonella
spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus
aureus) were mostly absent in seafood products. The study underlines
that the achievement of good quality levels in aquaculture strongly depends
on the conformity of the rearing environment to qualitative microbiological
standards, highlighting the importance of sanitary controls along the
different steps of the productive cycle.
(National Research Council, Istituto per
l'Ambiente Marino Costiero, Section of Messina, Spianata S. Raineri 86,
98122 Messina, Italy. E-mail: caruso@ist.me.cnr.it)