Uptake and Elimination of Bacteria in Shellfish*

Abstract

A general review of knowledge concerning bacterial accumulation and depletion by commercially significant bivalve molluses is presented. Naturally contaminated shellfish can eliminate fecal coliforms (FC) in 48 h to levels below most market standards over a wide range of environmental conditions when sea water flowing to the molluses is treated so that fecal coliform levels are indeterminate or marginally determinate as assayed by standard methodology. Most probable number (MPN) enumerations of shellfish depurated for 48 h by the authors yielded a median value of < 18 FC/100 g of oyster (Crassostrea Virginica) meats with < 10% of the samples exceeding 78 FC/100 g.