Microbiological Quality and Levels of Heavy Metals in Slipper Oyster (Crassostrea iredalei) Cultured in Major Growing Areas in Capiz Province, Western Visayas, Philippines: Compliance with International Shellfish Safety and Sanitation Standards

What is it about?

Oysters are filter feeders capable of accumulating pathogens from their surrounding waters, which can cause foodborne diseases once consumed. We assessed the microbiological quality and levels of heavy metals in oysters and culture waters of the major oyster farming areas in Capiz Province, Western Visayas, Philippines during the wet (May to October) and dry (November to April) seasons over a period of 12 months. Regardless of the season, high levels of fecal coliforms in the water and Escherichia coli in oysters were noted, illustrating that these oyster growing areas would comply with the lower Class B standard and ‘Prohibited’ areas under the European Union and United States classification systems, respectively. Zn and Cu were the most abundant metals detected while the levels of Pb, Cr, Cd, and Hg were within allowable limits. Oysters from the sites studied require post-harvest treatment prior to marketing for human consumption.

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