Screening of coliform bacteria and Salmonella spp. from short necked clam, Orbicularia obiculata (Lala) at Semerak, Pasir Puteh, Kelantan

Abstract

Shellfish are filter feeders. They are able to ingest particles in suspension that may carry pathogenic microorganisms. The short necked clam, Orbicularia orbiculata locally named as !ala were purchased from three different stalls ( each 100 grams samples of each stalls) at Semerak, Pasir Puteh. They were screened for coliform bacteria and Salmonella spp. via Most Probable Number (MPN) method and identified to species level using 13 biochemical and morphological tests. The pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Salmonella spp. were isolated from Orbicularia orbiculata. These pathogens are common cause of food borne illness associated with seafood consumption. Pure cultures of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Salmonella spp. obtained from positive results were tested for their growth pattern by streak plate methods and biochemical test for confirn1ation.