Virginia Tech
Effect of storage temperatures on the microbiological quality, safety, and viability of quahog clams, Mercenaria mercenaria
Abstract
dc:description.abstractThe objective of this project was to examine the effects of various storage temperatures and times on the microbiological quality, safety, and viability of hard shelled quahog clams. Samples were stored at four different incubation temperatures (3.3, 7.2, 10.0, and 12.S0C) for a period of three weeks, following their harvest from growing waters during the summer when the water temperatures were ~ SO°F, and during the winter when water temperatures were ~ 40°F. With regards to safety, clams were analyzed for two naturally-occurring pathogens, Vihrio parahaemolyticus and Vihrio vulnificus. Aerobic plate counts (APCs), coliforms, and fecal coliforms were determined to define the level of quality. During the summer, mesophilic APCs containing 2% NaCI ranged from 104 to 108 CFU/g, and during the winter, mesophilic APCs with salt ranged from < 100 ESPC to 104 CFU/g. Comparatively, during the summer, mesophilic APCs containing no added NaCI ranged from < 100 ESPC to 105 CFU/g, and during the winter, APCs without salt ranged from < 100 ESPC to 102 CFU/g. Coliform and fecal coliform counts ranged from < 0.3 to 61.1 MPN/g and < 0.3 to 24.4 MPN/g, respectively. During the summer, V. parahaemolyticus was isolated from 56% of the samples, with the highest concentration, 24,000 MPN/g, occurring on day 12 at 12.8°C.
Degree
thesis:*- Name thesis:degree_name
- Master of Science
- Level thesis:degree_level
- masters
- Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
- Food Science and Technology
- Department dc:contributor.department
- Food Science and Technology
- Grantor dc:publisher
- Virginia Tech
- Year dc:date.issued
- 1996
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Brenton, Carolyn E.
- Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
-
- Hicks, George J. Jr.
- Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
-
- Pierson, Merle D.
- Croonenberghs, Robert E.
- Peirson, W. Michael
Subjects
dc:subject × 3Rights
dc:rights- Statement dc:rights
-
- In Copyright
- Licence dc:rights.uri
- Language dc:language.iso
- en
Identifiers
dc:identifier.*- Dc Identifier Other
- etd-06112009-063149
- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/43131