Updating data on the seasonal changes in the microbiological quality of clams, Ruditapes decussatus, cultured in the Ria Formosa (South Portugal)
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1
Universidade do Algarve , Instituto Superior de Engenharia, Portugal
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2
IPMA - Portuguese Institute for the Ocean and Atmosphere, Portugal
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3
Centro de Ciências do Mar CCMAR-CIMAR Lab. Assoc., Portugal
Ria Formosa Lagoon is the most important region for bivalves production in the South Portuguese coast. This study evaluates the microbiological contamination of molluscs Ruditapes decussatus originating from two bivalves production areas of Ria Formosa (a more populated area, Faro–Marchil, and a less populated area, Cacela–Vila Real de Santo António) that were analysed monthly during 1 year. The levels of Escherichia coli and Vibrio spp. were followed and related with temperature profiles. The highest levels of E. coli were found in bivalves collected from Marchil during periods of higher temperatures (summer), mainly due to the population increase during the summer in that area. Although the shellfish harvesting production area classification does not lead to a change in the current classification (Class B). In Cacela higher levels of E. coli were observed especially during the winter, probably due to diffuse sources of faecal discharges. For both areas, the highest levels of Vibrio spp. were found in February and March 2013, these months correspond to a higher level of bacterioplankton in Ria Formosa. Lower levels of Vibrios spp. were found in October 2013 in both bivalve production areas. The analysis of this information can be particularly useful in the development of sanitary surveys and evaluate the human health risks associated with bivalves consumption, thence improving the quality of marketed bivalves, result in adding value to the final product.
Keywords:
Bivalves mollusc,
Ria Formosa,
microbiological monitoring,
Escherichia coli,
Public Health
Conference:
IMMR | International Meeting on Marine Research 2014, Peniche, Portugal, 10 Jul - 11 Jul, 2014.
Presentation Type:
Poster Presentation
Topic:
BIODIVERSITY, CONSERVATION AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT
Citation:
Cabral
ML,
Esteves
E and
Soares
F
(2014). Updating data on the seasonal changes in the microbiological quality of clams, Ruditapes decussatus, cultured in the Ria Formosa (South Portugal).
Front. Mar. Sci.
Conference Abstract:
IMMR | International Meeting on Marine Research 2014.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fmars.2014.02.00093
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Received:
10 May 2014;
Published Online:
18 Jul 2014.
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Correspondence:
Miss. Marina L Cabral, Universidade do Algarve, Instituto Superior de Engenharia, Faro, Portugal, marinacabral89@gmail.com