Comparison of Fecal Indicator Bacterial Counts in Shellfish Harvested from Kedah, Penang and Perak Pre and Post-Tsunami

• Main Authors: Wan Norhana, N., Mohd Nor Azman, A., Ramlah, A. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malaysian Society for Microbiology 2006-01-01
• Series: Malaysian Journal of Microbiology
• Subjects: Fecal Indicator; Shellfish waters; Pre; post tsunami
• Online Access: http://web.usm.my/mjm/issues/vol2no1/research6.pdf

The objectives of this paper are to examine the level of fecal indicator bacterial counts (Fecal Coliform (FC) and Escherichia coli (EC)) in shellfish harvested from Penang, Perak and Kedah after the tsunami and to compare the mean FC and EC in shellfish from the three states pre and post-tsunami. The data used in this paper were obtained from the Department of Fisheries’ Sanitary and Photosanitary (SPS) Program which monitored the shellfish culture areas around the Peninsular Malaysia regularly. Data were analysed using SPSS (Version 11.5). Generally more than 50% of the samples collected from each states after the tsunami complied to the microbiological safety guidelines (<230 MPN/100g EC or <300 MPN/100g FC). Classification of shellfish produced from the three states after the tsunami shows that it fall into Class B which indicates that shellfish produced in these areas are not for raw consumption and can only be placed in the market after depuration or relaying. Statistical analysis, showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between the mean FC and EC counts in Penang, Perak and Kedah pre and post-tsunami.