Vibrio alginolyticus Occurrence in Various Fish and Shellfish Samples: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract : Vibrio alginolyticus is a marine bacterium that can cause severe foodborne illnesses. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of V. alginolyticus in various fish and shellfish species collected from Karwar Fishing Port, Baithkol, Uttara Kannada . A total of n=120 fish and shell fish samples belong to different families and tidal zones in ocean and estuarine environment were analyzed to isolate V. alginolyticus using standard microbiological techniques.The results revealed a significant presence of V. alginolyticus in the seafood samples. Meretrix meretrix exhibited the highest contamination rate at 66.6%, followed by Mugil cephalus with 58.33%. Whereas, Lactarius lactarius showed the least contamination rate at 16.6%. Other species also showed varying levels of contamination. The contamination of the pathogens were common in the benthic organisms when compared to pelagic. The findings underscore the potential health risks associated with consuming raw or undercooked seafood.To mitigate these risks, stringent food safety measures, including proper handling, storage, and cooking practices, are crucial. Further research is necessary to identify factors contributing to V. alginolyticus contamination in seafood and develop effective prevention strategies.