OCCURRENCE OF SALMONELLA, VIBRO AND E. COLI IN EDIBLE LAND SNAIL IN NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA

• Main Authors: Ime Ebenso, Agnes Ekwere, Boniface Akpan, Bassey Okon, Ufot Inyang, Gloria Ebenso
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Slovak University of Agriculture 2012-10-01
• Series: Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Food Sciences
• Subjects: Edible mollusc; consumer health; food pathogens; meat contamination; zoonoses
• Online Access: http://www.jmbfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/jmbfs-0168.pdf

We determined the presence of foodborne pathogens from proximal gut of edible land snail (Archachatina marginata) sampled from Itam, Akpan Andem, Afaha and Ikpa markets in Uyo metropolis during the dry season. Fresh snail samples were collected from open market tables presented for sale were screened in the laboratory for microbial load. The total bacteria, Salmonella, Vibrio and Escherichia coli pathogens were measured. The results showed (p<0.05) pathogens in snail meat were found to be above 102cfu-g recommended microbiological limits. The foodborne pathogenic bacteria rating of sampled markets was Itam < Akpan Andem < Afaha < Ikpa. Edible snail can be a bioindicator and vector of foodborne pathogens. It is critical that producers, retailers, processors and consumers take responsibility to prevent contamination, cross-contamination, mishandling, as well as proper holding, storage and cooking of snail meat to eradicate foodborne pathogenic incidence.