Authors

Sonia M. Dejarme

Author

Emilie G. Tubio

Co-author

Mariefe B. Quiñones

Co-author

Mindanao State University at Naawan, 9023 Naawan, Misamis Oriental

*Corresponding author: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Bivalve molluscs comprise an important artisanal invertebrate fishery in Panguil Bay in northern Mindanao. The bay also supports one of the largest seaweed farming projects in the region. Recent concerns on declining water quality in the bay due to domestic sewage and industrial effluents motivated this research into investigating the bacterial contamination of food resources from the bay. Ten selected commercially important edible bivalve species from wild population and Kappaphycus alvarezii (guso) from a seaweed farm were collected monthly for 12 months from the Lanao del Norte side of Panguil Bay for the analysis of bacterial contamination, particularly fecal coliform bacteria. Water and sediments from the habitats of these organisms were also sampled for the same microbiological analyses. Fecal coliform bacteria were noted in Arca antiquata (litob-litob), Katylesia sp. (punaw), Meretrix meretrix (burnay), and Modiolus metcalfei (amahong) from freshly hand-picked samples from the muddy tidal flat in certain areas in the municipalities of Lala and Baroy, Lanao del Norte. Bivalve samples from market displays such as Anadara sp. (balinsala), Modiolus sp. (baluyang), Pharella acutidens (tudlo-datu), and Trisidos sp. (lubag-lubag), Anodontia edentula (imbaw) and Mercenaria sp. (tuway) were also similarly contaminated. The extent of bacterial contamination from hand-picked and market samples exceeded the current acceptability standards of Philippine bivalves for human consumption as set by the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD). It is strongly recommended that bivalves from Panguil Bay be depurated and cooked properly before these are served in dining tables. There is no standard for fecal coliform density in seaweeds but the values obtained in the farmed seaweed, K. alvarezii, was within the acceptability standard for Philippine bivalves, thus, it may be considered safe for human consumption.