MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF THE GHANAIAN VOLTA CLAM (GALATEA PARADOXA)

Abstract

Microbiological quality of the Ghanaian Volta clam (Galatea paradoxa) was assessed by fecal coliform and total aerobic bacteria counts. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with universal eubacterial 16S and 23S rDNA primers was also used to show the presence of bacteria in samples of the gut fluid and mantle tissues. The clams were found to be laden with potential pathogenic bacteria identified by conventional methods. Twenty bacteria species were isolated. They were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella ornithinolytica, Flavobacterium meningosepticum, Enterobacter aerogenes, E. agglomerans, E. cloacae, Aeromonas sobria, Acinetobacter sp, Vibrio cholerae, Micrococcus radiodurans, Streptococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii, Chromobacterium violaceum, Morganella morganii, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella sp., Serratia marcescens and Yersinia intermedia. With PCR, bacterial DNA fragments were detected in 16.7% (2/12) of clam gut and 83.3% (10/12) of mantle tissues. Bacteria load in the clam mantle tissue was higher than in the gut. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The Volta clam is of high commercial interest in the Volta estuary. Information on the presence of potential pathogenic bacteria in this shellfish is thus very important to the food industry, especially in the shellfish‐eating community, where the shellfish is eaten in the semi‐processed ready‐to‐eat state. Data from this article will assist to ensure food safety.

Adsorption of Heavy Metals in Contaminated Water Using Zeolite Derived from Agro-Wastes and Clays: A Review

“…Contaminated water also has implications for aquatic organisms such as clams, a common and inexpensive source of protein and livelihood for the communities at the Volta estuary. Adjei-Boateng et al ( 2009) and Amoah et al (2011) found that the clam Galatea paradoxa in these areas was highly contaminated with FCs, due to its capacity to accumulate up to five times the bacterial load in the surrounding water, through its filter feeding activities.…”