Self-Purification of the Soft Clam Mya Arenaria

Abstract

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The Survival of Marine Vibrios in Mercenaria Mercenaria, the Hardshell Clam

“…When clams or oysters from polluted water are placed in clean seawater they will purge themselves of a variety of contaminating substances through their own metabolic activities (Arcisz and Kelly 1955). This process is known as depuration (Houser 1964).…”

“…This process is known as depuration (Houser 1964). For example, numbers of bacteria such as Escherichia and Salmonella will drop rapidly due to depuration (Arcisz and Kelly 1955). This phenomenon is the basis for two currently utilized processes aimed at cleansing shellfish from polluted areas of potential pathogens so that they may be sold for human consumption.…”

Molluscan shellfish depuration

“…Numerous depuration studies and reviews concerned with the effects of seawater temperature upon bacterial reduction in various shellfish meats have been conducted (Arcisz and Kelly, 1955;Heffernan and Cabelli, 1970;Cabelli and Hefferman, 1971;Souness and Fleet, 1979;Rowse and Fleet, 1984;Richards, 1990;Rodrick and Schneider, 1991). Table 20.1 lists the various microorganisms and the optimal temperature for their elimination from the hard clam, eastern oyster, soft clam and the Sydney rock oyster.…”

“…Numerous studies have shown UV light to be effective in inactivating bacteria shellfish (Arcisz and Kelly, 1955;Huntley and Hammerstrom, 1971;Cortelyou, 1954;Kawabata and Harada, 1959;Kelly, 1961) and virus (Fogh, 1955;Hill et al, 1969Hill et al, , 1970 from molluscan shellfish. Numerous studies have shown UV light to be effective in inactivating bacteria shellfish (Arcisz and Kelly, 1955;Huntley and Hammerstrom, 1971;Cortelyou, 1954;Kawabata and Harada, 1959;Kelly, 1961) and virus (Fogh, 1955;Hill et al, 1969Hill et al, , 1970 from molluscan shellfish.…”

“…Wood (1961a, b) in the United Kingdom and by Arcisz and Kelly (1955) in the US. Wood (1961a, b) in the United Kingdom and by Arcisz and Kelly (1955) in the US.…”