Effect of gamma irradiation on shelf life and bacterial and viral loads in hard-shelled clams (Mercenaria mercenaria).
The feasibility of using 60Co gamma irradiation to inactivate total coliforms, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, and F-coliphage in hard-shelled clams, Mercenaria mercenaria, was investigated. The results of three trials indicated average D10 values of 1.32 kGy for total coliforms, 1.39 kGy for fecal coliforms, 1.54 kGy for E. coli, 2.71 kGy for C. perfringens, and 13.50 kGy for F-coliphage. Irradiation doses of > 0.5 kGy were significantly lethal to the shellfish.
Harewood
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Northeast Seafood Laboratory, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Davisville, North Kingstown, Rhode Island 02852.
Rippey
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Montesalvo
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D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003016:Clostridium perfringens / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000528:radiation effects; D003090:Coliphages / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000528:radiation effects; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000528:radiation effects; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005514:Food Irradiation; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006801:Humans