Tropicultura (Jan 2008)
Etude de la qualité microbiologique d'une espèce tropicale de crabe: Callinectes amnicola
Abstract
Study of the Microbiological Quality of a Tropical Species of Crab: Callinectes amnicola. Callinectes amnicola, a species of crab widely consumed in Ivory Coast, was microbiologically analysed due to the high pollution of fishery waters. A survey of 180 crabs including 90 males and 90 females bought in three different places -two markets and a place of fishing- was carried out. The storage temperature of crabs in the shellfish bags (25.5 °C and 26.5 °C for two markets) indicates that selling of crabs without refrigeration supports the proliferation of germs in these food products. The bacteriological analyses show that the majority of crabs, males (89%) and females (71%) are contaminated by anaerobic sulfite-reducers. The male (84.4%) are more contaminated by fecal coliforms than the females (62.2%). The crabs bought in the two markets give the highest percentages of infection by fecal coliforms (80% and 73.3% against 66.7% for the place of fishing). Salmonella is found in 3.3% of crabs. 91% of males and 67% of females have an unacceptable microbiological quality, and are therefore unsuitable for human consumption. This study shows the medical risk for populations consuming C. amnicola, especially if this shellfish is not properly cooked before consumption.
