Occurrence of Escherichia coli and other coliform bacteria in Green Mussels and waters of Ennore Estuary
V. Gayathri* and K. Revathi**
*Res. Scholor, Deptt. of Microbiology, Sathyabama University, Chennai-600 008 (India) **Deptt. of Zoology, Ethiraj College for Women Chennai – 600 008 (India)
ABSTRACT
Increase of sewage outfall and other industrial waste water in coastal areas leads to bacterial contamination of marine life and water. This can be monitored using bivalves like green mussels (Perna viridis), as they can accumulate pathogenic and other bacteria from contaminated waters. Perna viridis is harvested commercially for human consumption. The mussels are rich in protein and fat. As filter feeders, the bivalves can accumulate pathogenic and other bacteria from contaminated waters. The objective of the study is to find the faecal indicator organisms and isolation of other bacteria in water and green mussels in Ennore estuary. The bacteria were isolated using selective and non- selective medium following the standard methods and confirmed by biochemical tests. Escherichia coli and other coliforms were present in most of the samples