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Virginia Tech

Survival of Vibro vulnificus and other Vibrios in raw oysters (Crassostrea virginica) during processing in Virginia and cold storage

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The objective of this research was to determine if Vibrio populations, specifically V. vulnificus were affected in oysters by the processing methods employed in Virginia. This study was conducted between July and September in 1995 and during the month of August of 1996 when water temperature was expected to be high. Oysters were harvested from Virginia and the Gulf coast and shucked and blown by Virginia processors. They were tested for aerobic plate counts incubated at 35-37°C, salt content, pH, total Vibrios and V. vulnificus populations before and after processing. Oysters were stored in crushed ice and maintained an internal temperature of 1°C and tested at 5, 10, and 15 days after processing. Oysters were also stored at -9°C tested every one to two weeks. Procedures described in the Food and Drug Administration’s Bacteriological Analytical Manual for identification of V. vulnificus were followed. V. vulnificus populations were not significantly affected by blowing. V. vulnificus populations decreased in oysters stored at 1°C and -9°C. V. vulnificus levels decreased faster in blown oysters harvested from the Gulf coast. Vibrio populations were not significantly reduced by blowing in oysters that were 1°C. Oysters stored at -9°C showed decreased Vibrio populations. pH and APC showed an inverse relationship in oysters that were 1°C. In oysters stored at -9°C, pH and APC showed a positive correlation. Significance of these correlations varied.

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
  • Ostrander, Vicki C.

Subjects

dc:subject × 7

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-11012008-063712
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/45423

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Ostrander, Vicki C.. Survival of Vibro vulnificus and other Vibrios in raw oysters (Crassostrea virginica) during processing in Virginia and cold storage. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/45423