Oyster and seawater samples were collected from five sites in the Chesapeake Bay, MD, and three sites in the Delaware Bay, DE, from May–October 2016 and 2017. Abundances and detection frequencies for total and pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus were compared using the standard Most Probable Number-PCR (MPN-PCR) assay and a direct plating (DP) method on CHROMagar™ Vibrio for total (tlh+ ) and pathogenic (tdh+ and trh+) V. parahaemolyticus genes, and total (vvhA) and pathogenic (vcgC) genes for V. vulnificus. The Colony Overlay Procedure for Peptidases (COPP) assay was evaluated for total Vibrionaceae. DP had high false negative rates (14–77%) for most PCR targets and was deemed unsatisfactory. Logistic regression models of the COPP assay showed high concordances with MPN-PCR for tdh+ and trh+ V. parahaemolyticus and vvhA+ V. vulnificus in oysters (85.7–90.9%) and seawater (81.1–92.7%) when seawater temperature and salinity were factored into the model, suggesting that the COPP assay could potentially serve as a more rapid method to detect vibrios in oysters and seawater. Differences in total Vibrionaceae and pathogenic Vibrio abundances between state sampling sites over different collection years were contrasted for oysters and seawater by MPN-PCR. Abundances of tdh+ and trh+ V. parahaemolyticus were ∼8-fold higher in Delaware than in Maryland oysters, whereas abundances of vcgC+ V. vulnificus were nearly identical. For Delaware oysters, 93.5% were both tdh+ and trh+ compared to only 19.2% in Maryland. These results indicate that pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus was more prevalent in the Delaware Bay compared to the Chesapeake Bay. IMPORTANCE While V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus cause shellfish-associated morbidity and mortality among shellfish consumers, current regulatory assays for vibrios are complex, time-consuming, labor intensive, and relatively expensive. In this study, the rapid, simple and inexpensive COPP assay was identified as a possible alternative to MPN-PCR for shellfish monitoring. This paper shows differences in total Vibrionaceae and pathogenic vibrios found in seawater and oysters from the commercially important Delaware and Chesapeake bays. Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates from the Delaware Bay were more likely to contain commonly recognized pathogenicity genes than those from the Chesapeake Bay.

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This study identified Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oyster and seawater samples collected from Delaware Bay from June through October of 2016. Environmental parameters including water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and chlorophyll a were measured per sampling event. Oysters homogenate and seawater samples were 10-fold serially diluted and directly plated on CHROMagarᵀᴹ Vibrio medium. Presumptive V. parahaemolyticus colonies were counted and at least 20% of these colonies were selected for molecular chracterization. V. parahaemolyticus isolates (n = 165) were screened for the presence of the species-specific thermolabile hemolysin (tlh) gene, the pathogenic thermostable direct hemolysin (tdh)/ thermostable related hemolysin (trh) genes, the regulatory transmembrane DNA-binding gene (toxR), and V. parahaemolyticus metalloprotease (vpm) gene using a conventional PCR. The highest mean levels of the presumptive V. parahaemolyticus were 9.63×103 CFU/g and 1.85×103 CFU/mL in the oyster and seawater samples, respectively, during the month of July. V. parahaemolyticus levels in oyster and seawater samples were significantly positively correlated with water temperature. Of the 165 isolates, 137 (83%), 110 (66.7%), and 108 (65%) were tlh+, vpm+, and toxR+, respectively. Among the V. parahaemolyticus (tlh+) isolates, 7 (5.1%) and 15 (10.9%) were tdh+ and trh+, respectively, and 24 (17.5%), only oyster isolates, were positive for both genes. Potential pathogenic strains that possessed tdh and/or trh were notably higher in oyster (39%) than seawater (15.6%) isolates. The occurrence of total V. parahaemolyticus (tlh+) was not necessarily proportional to the potential pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus. Co-occurrence of the five genetic markers were observed only among oyster isolates. The co-occurrence of the gene markers showed a relatedness potential of tdh occurrence with vpm. We believe exploring the role of V. parahaemolyticus metalloprotease and whether it is involved in the toxic activity of the thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH) protein can be of significance. The outcomes of this study will provide some foundation for future studies regarding pathogenic Vibrio dynamics in relation to environmental quality.

The change in the quality attributes (physical, microbial, and chemical) of oysters (Crassostrea virginica) after high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment at 300 MPa at room temperature (RT, 25 °C) 300, 450, and 500 MPa at 0 °C for 2 min and control oysters without treatment were evaluated over 3 wk. The texture and tissue yield percentages of oysters HHP treated at 300 MPa, RT increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared to control. Aerobic and psychrotrophic bacteria in control oysters reached the spoilage point of 7 log CFU/g after 15 d. Coliform counts (log MPN/g) were low during storage with total and fecal coliforms less than 3.5 and 1.0. High pressure treated oysters at 500 MPa at 0 °C were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than oysters HHP treated at 300 MPa at 0 °C in lipid oxidation values. The highest pressure (500 MPa) treatment in this study, significantly (P < 0.05) decreased unsaturated fatty acid percentage compared to control. The glycogen content of control oysters at 3 wk was significantly higher (P < 0.05) when compared to HHP treated oysters [300 MPa, (RT); 450 MPa (0 °C); and 500 MPa (0 °C)]. HHP treatments of oysters were not significantly different in pH, percent salt extractable protein (SEP), and total lipid values compared to control. Based on our results, HHP prolongs the physical, microbial, and chemical quality of oysters.

Consumption of raw oysters is known to cause serious health conditions due to bioaccumulation of contaminants. As filter feeders, oysters ingest bacteria along with phytoplankton from their surrounding habitats. Ensuring seafood safety for human consumption is always a concern. Since oysters are consumed raw, disease causing organisms, environmental contaminants, toxins, chemicals, and even physical hazards such as soils and metals retained in the oysters can enter through feeding. The objective of this study was to determine the quality of oysters collected from Delaware Inland Bays (DIB) and compare them with market oysters. Environmental parameters were monitored from local waters of DIB classified as closed versus open for shellfish harvesting. Total aerobic bacteria and vibrio were higher in market oysters during the warmer months, with open water having the least microbial loads. There were no significant differences in total vibrio counts between the study sites (p=0.396), but significant differences were recorded over time (p=0.004). Water temperature and turbidity were directly proportional to total vibrio in oysters, and salinity was inversely related. Research findings in this study may help bring awareness of changes in bacterial loads due to seasonal changes and additional handling and storage.

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A mangrove Penicillium producing red pigment was cultured in an optimized medium that was designed by the authors previously and used in this study. The purpose of this study was to identify the pigment and also to study the effect of bio elements on pigment production. Pigment from the medium was efficiently extracted using chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. Most of the red pigment was extracted into ethyl acetate and further purified by preparative thin layer chromatography. From 1 H and 13 C NMR data supported by electronic imaging mass spectrometry, structure of the compound was elucidated as 2-(4-acetyl phenyl) acetic acid. The yield of pigment produced was studied with respect to various salts and bio elements. Salts at high concentrations (sodium chloride, ammonium sulfate, and sodium nitrite) had a drastic effect on pigment yield because most of the pigment remained adhered to the mycelium instead of diffusing into the medium. Also, when bio elements were supplemented to the medium; calcium, iron, and zinc enhanced pigment yield whereas; potassium, magnesium, copper and manganese did not have significant impact on pigment production. Lead had a drastic negative effect on the pigment yield. Therefore, this study proves that salts and bio elements play a major role in the production of various metabolites from mangrove fungi.

The presence of heavy metals, excess nutrients, and microbial contaminants in aquatic systems of coastal Delaware has become a public concern as human population increases and land development continues. Delaware's coastal lagoons have been subjected to problems commonly shared by other coastal Mid-Atlantic states: turbidity, sedimentation, eutrophication, periodic hypoxic/anoxic conditions, toxic substances, and high bacterial levels. The cumulative impact of pollutants from run-off and point sources has degraded water quality, reduced the diversity and abundance of various fish species, invertebrates, and submerged aquatic vegetation. The effects are especially pronounced within the manmade dead end canal systems. In this article, we present selected case studies conducted in the Delaware Inland Bays. Due to the ecological services provided by bivalves, our studies in Delaware Inland Bays are geared toward oysters with special focus on the microbial loads followed by the water quality assessments of the bay. The relationships between oysters (Crassostrea virginica), microbial loads and nutrient levels in the water were investigated. The heavy metal levels monitored further away from the waste water treatment plant in the inland bays are marginally higher than the recommended EPA limits. Also, our studies confirmed that aerobic bacteria and Vibrionaceae levels are salinity dependent. Total bacteria in oysters increased when nitrate and total suspended solids increased in the waters. Studies such as these are important because every year millions of Americans consume raw oysters. Data collected over the last 10 years from our studies may be used to build a predictive index of conditions that are favorable for the proliferation of human pathogenic bacteria. Results from this study will benefit the local community by helping them understand the importance of oyster aquaculture and safe consumption of oysters while making them appreciate their ecological and commercial values. This will also be of tremendous help to the commercial shellfish aquaculture farms to predict poor conditions to prevent oysters' consumption when bacterial levels are high in water.