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QUALITY OF UNITED STATES AND BANGLADESH SHRIMP DUE TO GROWTH
AND POST-HARVEST PRACTICES
A Dissertation
Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the
Louisiana State University and
Agricultural and Mechanical College
in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
in
The School of Renewable Natural Resources
by
Murshida Khan
B.S., Bangladesh Agricultural University, 2008
M.S., Bangladesh Agricultural University, 2010
December 2018
ii
To my family
iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This material is based upon work supported by the United States Agency for International
Development, as part of the Feed the Future initiative, under the CGIAR Fund, award number
BFS-G-11-00002, and the predecessor fund the Food Security and Crisis Mitigation II grant, award
number EEM-G-00-04-00013.
I have been so blessed to have the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and
experience throughout my graduate studies, and it is with immense gratitude that I
acknowledge those who helped me along the way. First, I want to thank my major professor, Dr.
Julie Anderson Lively, my mentor at LSU for selecting me as a graduate student, for everything
she has taught me, the opportunities she has provided, and for inspiring confidence in me. She has
always given me a tremendous amount of intellectual latitude to pursue my research and ideas.
She was readily accessible, interactive, kind and continuously encouraged me. I would also like to
thank my home country mentor, Dr. Mahbubur Rahman, Department of Biotechnology, BSMRAU
for the instruction and facilities he has provided for my research work in Bangladesh. I would like
to express my deep gratitude to my committee members: Dr. Charles Lutz for giving the advice
and updated news related to my research Dr. Marlene E. Janes for her advice, suggestion about
microbiological work and giving me the opportunity to work in her lab, and my dean’s
representative Dr. Barry D. Keim for his kind attitude.
In addition to my graduate committee, I would also like to thank Dr. Witoon Prinyawiwatkul, for
his teaching, advice about experiments, analysis of data and giving me the opportunity to work in
the food science lab for my color and texture experiment. I would also like to thank Dr. Azad
Shah, Head of the department of Fisheries Technology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Agricultural University for his suggestions and the working facilities he provided. I would like to
iv
acknowledge everyone in the Anderson lab who has helped me with lab work, especially ElizaBeth
Clowes, Tom Aepelbacher, Stephanie Grodeska, Lauren Carter, Damen Pheiffer, and student
workers Morgan Ducote, Skylar Bueche and others who have helped with the chemical treatment
of shrimp and other lab work. I need to thank everyone in Dr. Janes’ lab and Dr. Prinyawiwatkul’s
lab for being patient and kind. I would like to thank Mohammed Saleem for his cooperation,
especially opening the microbiology lab during weekends, Dorra Djebbi for her assistance during
API testing, Dhara Pujols and Kenneth Carabante for their demonstration of the use of the baking
meter and texture analyzer. I would like to thank Shannon Dumo and Mohammed Rashid for their
mental support as a friend and a brother. I am grateful to Susan L. Karimiha, Coordinator,
International Programs, LSU Agricultural Center for her constant support.
In Bangladesh, I would like to thank Sulav Indra Paul, MS student of Dr. Rahman’s lab for his
help during identification of harmful bacteria and antibiotic resistance testing. Without his help, it
would have been very difficult for me to maintain more than a hundred plates and complete the
experiment in timely fashion. I would also like to thank Bhaskar Chandra Majumdar, MS student
of Fisheries Technology for his assistance during lab work and collecting samples, and Rakib
Ehsan for collecting shrimp farm soil samples from Khulna.
I would like to express my deep gratitude to my parents, my husband, my brothers and sisters, and
my nieces and nephews who supported me unconditionally. And finally I would like to thank
BHEARD (Borlaug Higher Education for Agricultural Research and Development) for selecting
me for the scholarship and giving me the research funds and all additional support that a graduate
student needed.
v
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS…………………………………………………………………........iii
LIST OF TABLES……………………………………………………………………………… vii
LIST OF FIGURES………………………………………………………………………………ix
ABSTRACT..................................................................................................................................xi
CHAPTER 1: GENERAL INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………1
1.1 Louisiana shrimp fishery….…………………………...………………….…..........................1
1.2 Bangladesh shrimp…………………...…………….……………………………..…………..2
1.3 Global Shrimp Aquaculture…………………………………………………………………..4
1.4 Quality Concerns Associated with Shrimp…………………………………..……………….4
1.5. Research Objectives…………………………………………………………………………12
1.6. References……………………………………………………………………………...……12
CHAPTER 2: EFFECT OF MELANOSIS CONTROL ON PROXIMATE COMPOSITION,
BACTERIAL CONDITION, COLOR AND TEXTURE OF SHRIMP…………………...........18
2.1 Introduction …………………………….…………………………………………………...18 2.2 Methods…………………....………………………………………………………………...22
2.3 Results and Discussion…………………………………………………………………........30
2.4 Conclusions …………………………………………………………….…..……………….53
2.5 References……………..…………………………………………………………………….53
CHAPTER 3: THE PRESENCE OF SULFITE RESIDUES IN
SHRIMP…………………………………………………………………………………………58
3.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………….……58
3.2 Methods………………………………...……………………………………………………61 3.3 Results and Discussion………………………………………………………………………67
3.4 Conclusions……………………………………………………………………………….....75 3.5 References ………………………..………………………………………………………....75
CHAPTER 4: DETERMINATION OF HARMFUL BACTERIA IN SHRIMP FROM
LOUISIANA AND BANGLADESH……………………………………………………...........78 4.1 Introduction ……………………………….…………………………………………….......78
4.2 Methods………………………………...……….…………………………………………...80 4.3 Result and Discussion……………………………………………………………………….89
4.4 Conclusions…………………………………………………………………………….…....97 4.5 References ……………………..…………………………………………………………....97
vi
CHAPTER 5: DETERMINATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL DRUGS RESIDUES IN
IMPORTED SHRIMP………………………………….………………………………….…..104 5.1 Introduction……………………………….……………………………………….……….104 5.2 Methods………………………………...……….…………………………………….……108
5.3 Results and Discussion…………………………..…………………………………………117
5.4 Conclusions……………………………………………………………………..…….........125 5.5 References …………………………….…………..…………………………………….....126
CHAPTER 6: ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANT BACTERIA IN SHRIMP AND SHRIMP FARM
SOIL …………………………………………..………………………………………..….......131
6.1 Introduction……………………………….…………………………………….………….131
6.2 Methods………………………………...……….…………………………………….……133 6.3 Result and Discussion………………………………………………..………….…………142
6.4 Conclusions…………………………………………………………………………….…..151 6.5 References …………………………..……………………………………………….….....151
CHAPTER 7: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS……………………………......................157
VITA……………………………………………………………………………………………165
vii
LIST OF TABLES
2.1. Parameters of mechanical texture......................................................................................... 20
2.2. Source and condition of shrimp used for proximate composition, total plate count, color and
texture analysis …………………………....................…………………....................................23
2.3. Preparation of Diluted Albumin (BSA) Standards...............................................................27
3.1. Source and condition of shrimp used as control in Louisiana and Bangladesh..…..............61
3.2. Source and condition of Louisiana and Bangladeshi shrimp tested for Sulfite residue....62-63
3.3. Source and condition of imported shrimp used for testing Sulfite residue.......................63-64
3.4. Color scale for Sulfite residue...............................................................................................66
4.1. Source and condition of Louisiana and Bangladesh shrimp used for harmful bacteria
determination...............................................................................................................................80
4.2. Primer sequence used for polymerase chain reaction amplification.....................................87
4.3. The concentration of polymerase chain reaction mixture.....................................................87
4.4. Bacteria isolated from the L. setiferus, F. aztecus, M. rosenbergii and P. monodon...........91
5.1. Source and condition of imported shrimp used for testing antibiotic residue....................109
5.2. Level (ppb) of residue in shrimp samples. If multiple samples were tested, the mean is
presented...................................................................................................................................119
6.1. Primer sequence used for PCR amplification...................................................................140
6.2. The concentration of PCR mixture....................................................................................140
6.3. Number and source of isolated species found from farm soil and shrimp....................... 144
viii
6.4. Antibiotic sensitivity reference table adapted from CLSI 2018.......................................148
6.5. The zone diameter (mm) of the bacteria isolated from soil or shrimp. Bold values represent
resistant levels and underlined values represent intermediate levels………………………..149
ix
LIST OF FIGURES
1.1. Black spot development in shrimp. a. Shrimp free of any black spot or melanosis. Credit: J.
Lively. b. Shrimp with high amounts of black spot on the cephalothorax and joints. Credit: M.
Khan.…………………………………………………………………………………………........7
2.1. Moisture content of four shrimp species. Error bars represent SD, and different letters indicate
statistical difference by species (ANOVA; p < 0.001)………….……………………………….31
2.2. Ash content of four shrimp species. Error bars represent SD, and different letters indicate
statistical difference by species (ANOVA; p < 0.001)……………………….………………….32
2.3. Protein content of four shrimp species. Error bars represent SD, and different letters indicate
statistical difference by species (ANOVA; p < 0.001)…………………………………………..33
2.4. Lipid content of four shrimp species. Error bars represent SD, and different letters indicate
statistical difference by species (ANOVA; p < 0.001)…………………………………………..34
2.5. Total Plate Count of the four shrimp species. Error bars represent SD, and different letters
indicate statistical difference by species (ANOVA; p < 0.001)………………………….……...37
2.6. L* value trends in A. L. setiferus and B. F. aztecus. Error bars represent SD, and letters
indicate statistical significance by day …………………………………………………….……39
2.7. a* value trends in A. L. setiferus and B. F. aztecus. Error bars represent SD, and letters
indicate statistical significance by day…………………………………………………….…….41
2.8. The b* value trends in A. L. setiferus and B. F. aztecus. Error bars represent SD, and letters
indicate statistical significance by day.. ………………………...………………………………43
2.9. Total color differences (∆E) trends in A. L. setiferus and B. F. aztecus. Error bars represent
SD, and letters indicate statistical significance by day…………………………………….……45
x
2.10. Hardness trends in L. setiferus and F. aztecus. Error bars represent SD, and letters indicate
statistical significance by day ………………………………..…………………………………47
2.11. Resilience trends in L. setiferus and F. aztecus. Error bars represent SD, and letters indicate
statistical significance by day…………………………………………………………………...48
2.12. Springiness trends in L. setiferus and F. aztecus. Error bars represent SD, and letters
indicate statistical significance by day………………………………………………………….50
2.13. Chewiness trends in L. setiferus and F. aztecus. Error bars represent SD, and letters
indicate statistical significance by day…………………………………………………….……52
3.1. Sulfite residue testing. After applying dye reagent, color was checked with protocol picture
that came with ALERT Sulfite test kit. Here shrimp shown violet color and score was noted as 2.
Credit: M. Khan... ……………………………………………………………………………….67
3.2. Louisiana local shrimp sulfite residue levels. Mean of sulfite residue on a score of 1-3 with
1=<10 ppm, 2 = 10-100ppm, and 3=>100ppm. (Error bars = S.D.). The n’s for each of the controls
=30, n=70 for the L. setiferus unknowns, and n=30 for the F. aztecus
unknowns…………………………………………………………………………………….......68
3.3. Bangladesh Shrimp Sulfite Residue. Mean of Sulfite residue on a score of 1-3 (Error bars =
S.D.). The n=30 for each group…………………………………………………………..……..70
3.4. Sulfite Residue in shrimp imported into the United States. Mean of Sulfite residue on a score
of 1-3 (Error bars = S.D.). The n’s of shrimp samples tested for each country are China= 5,
Ecuador=1, India = 14, Indonesia=6, Thailand= 16, and Vietnam=9………………………..….72
3.5. Farm raised shrimp from India. This package shrimp was positive for sulfite (more than 10
ppm) but sulfite was not included in ingredient list. Credit: J. Lively.……………………...…..73
5.1. Samples testing positive for antibiotic residue by country. All values are percent of samples
from a given country or total of all countries combined..………………………………………120
xi
ABSTRACT
Shrimp is one of the most consumed and traded seafood, and due to its high demand, consumers
depend on both wild caught and farmed products. Post-harvest practices can greatly affect health,
safety, and quality, and the goal of this project was to study the effects of chemicals, bacteria, and
antibiotics on shrimp from Louisiana and Bangladesh. Quality changes (proximate composition,
color, texture and total plate count of bacteria) in shrimp from Louisiana (Farfantepenaeus aztecus
and Litopenaeus setiferus) and Bangladesh (Penaeus monodon and Macrobrachium rosenbergii)
were determined due to the application of melanosis preventing compounds (sulfite powder,
Everfresh® and Xyrex® Prawnfresh™). Sulfite residue in shrimp was determined, and the shrimp
were tested for the presence of harmful bacteria. The presence of antimicrobial drugs residue
(oxytetracycline, nitrofurantoin, chloramphenicol, fluoroquinolone and malachite green) in
aquacultured imported shrimp was also determined. Finally, the soil and shrimp of shrimp farms
in Bangladesh were examined for the presence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria. There was no
effect of melanosis prevention on proximate composition and total plate count. There was no effect
of treatment on color, hardness, resilience and chewiness compared with control shrimp. While
sulfite residue was found in shrimp, it was under the FDA limit (less than 100 ppm). However,
sulfite was not included in the ingredient list as required by law on any packaging. Vibrio fluvialis
was found both in wild caught F. aztecus and L. setiferus, and Pseudomonas luteola was found in
F. aztecus. In Bangladesh, Eshcherichia coli, Proteus pennari, Enterobacter aerogenous,
Enterobacter cloacae, Enterococcus faecalis, Eshcherichia fergusonii, Serratia marcescens,
Enterobacter xiangfangensis and Aeromonas dhakensis were detected from market shrimp. For
antibiotic residue tests, out of 42 samples 30 were positive for nitrofurantoin, 1 for malachite green,
1 for oxytetracycline, and 7 for fluoroquinolone. For antibiotic resistant bacteria determination,
xii
four species of bacteria were identified: Proteus pennari, Morganella morganii, Enterobacter
cloacae and Plesiomonas shigelloides. Some bacterial strains were resistant to chloramphenicol,
gentamycin, azithromycin, and vancomycin. Results of this study provided information about how
grow out, postharvest handling, and treatment of shrimp affects quality and food safety.
1
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
Worldwide, shrimp is one of the most consumed and traded seafood, and due to its high demand,
consumers depend on both wild caught and farmed products. Americans consume more shrimp
than any other seafood (Lee and Phelps, 2014), and most of the shrimp Americans consume is
farmed shrimp and imported mostly from India, Indonesia, China, Thailand, Ecuador, Vietnam
and Mexico (NOAA, 2018). Shrimp flesh is considered as a good source of protein, minerals, and
highly unsaturated fatty acids namely eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (Feliz et al.,
2002; Yanar and Celik, 2005). Quality and food safety have become very important issues, and
problems can exist in both wild and farmed shrimp.
1.1. Louisiana shrimp fishery
Louisiana has regularly been one of the leading shrimp producing states in the US. In the Gulf of
Mexico, around 40% of shrimp landings are from Louisiana (Haas et al., 2001). Lousiana’s shrimp
fishery generally ranks first based on volume and ranks sencond based on dockside value in shrimp
landings in the US (LDWF, 2012). There are two components in the Louisiana’s shrimp fishery,
inshore and offshore (Haas et al., 2001).
The main two shrimp species in Louisiana are white shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus) and brown
shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus) and approximately 95% of all annual landings consist of these
two species (Louisiana Sea Grant, 2015). Besides those two species, other species include pink
shrimp, rock shrimp and sea bobs, but white and brown shrimp dominate the catch. The season of
white shrimp is from August to January where peak landings occur from October to November,
and brown shrimp season is May to July with peak landings in May and June (LDWF, n.d.). White
shrimp are white to gray in color with long black antennae and have no grooves on the head and
2
tail (LDWF, n.d). Brown shrimp are brownish with grooves present on both sides of the spine on
the head and tail and with medium length antennae (LDWF, n.d.).
According to the report of Global Trust MSC Pre-assessment (Dunne and DeAlteris, 2011), both
brown and white shrimp are short lived (18 to 24 months) with a high fecundity (spawning 215,000
to 1 million eggs every three days). Shrimp have small bodies, can reproduce quickly, and mature
early with a short generation time and the ability to disperse widely offshore. White and brown
shrimp are resistant to overfishing (Dunne and DeAlteris, 2011). The methods of capture for both
species are butterfly net, otter trawl, and skimmer nets. There are other legal commercial catching
methods such as the cast net and traps (Dunne and DeAlteris, 2011).
1.2 Bangladesh shrimp
In Bangladesh, most shrimp are aquacultured. The primary shrimp species farmed are Asian tiger
shrimp (Penaeus monodon), giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii), brown shrimp
(Metapenaeus monoceros) and Indian white prawns (Penaeus indicus). Approximately 49% of
farmed shrimp are P. monodon and 31% are M. rosenbergii (Portley, 2016). Beside those common
species, a variety of wild caught species are found in freshwater (Parapeneopsis hardwickii,
Parapeneopsis coromandelica, Parapeneopsis sculptilis, Solenocera crassicornis, and Acetes
chinensis) and marine waters (Penaeus merguiensis, P. japonicas, P. latisulcatus, Metapenaeus
monoceros, M. dobsoni, and P. semisulcatus) (Portley, 2016). Unlike other Asian cultures,
Bangladesh is reluctant to adopt commercial production of white leg shrimp L. vannamei because
of the concerns about the deficiency of financial and technical resources that are needed for the
safe production of this species (Portley, 2016).
3
In 2001-2002 Bangladesh exported 88.36 million lbs. of frozen fish and shrimp and earned
$276.11 million, where in 2016-2017 Bangladesh exported 150.27 million lbs. frozen fish and
shrimp and earned $528.45 million (BFFEA, 2018). In 2014, the ratio of exported wild caught and
farmed species was 89:11 by volume (Portley, 2016). Fish and fisheries products are the second
largest export category in Bangladesh next to ready-made garments (Hussain, 2016).
Since 1980, shrimp aquaculture in Bangladesh has steadily grown. Where 20,000 ha were used in
1980, the area increased to 275,509 ha during 2015-2016. (Metcalf, 2003; BFFEA, 2018). This
increase is due to shrimp demand within the nation and worldwide, high profitability, and the
ability to earn foreign currency (Dev, 1998).
Shrimp culture first started in the southeast region in coastal Bangladesh, and now it has expanded
to the southwest region due to suitable weather conditions and resources (feed, water, seed) (Paul
and Vogl, 2011). The cropping pattern for brackish water shrimp (P. monodon) is during the dry
months (December–July). Mainly monoculture is practiced for shrimp farming. However, in the
southeastern coastal areas, the time period of shrimp farming is maintained from May to
November. In tidal areas of the southeastern region, rice is cultivated with shrimp and fish; rice is
produced from August to December/January and February to July/August while shrimp culture is
practiced (Islam et al., 2005). The wild post larvae are highly available from May-June, and for
this reason freshwater prawn culture is practiced during that period. Usually women and children
collect post larvae from estuaries and nearby coasts using push nets (Paul and Vogl, 2011).
Shrimp aquaculture in Bangladesh can be categorized into four types; traditional, extensive, semi-
-intensive and intensive (Islam et al., 2005), and farmers practice mostly extensive or traditional
systems (Portley, 2016).
4
1.3 Global Shrimp Aquaculture
Shrimp farming is a very profitable segment of the aquaculture industry. Farmed shrimp
production continues to increase (in less than two decades production has increased 100 fold). For
example, in 1970, almost 10,000 metric tons (MT) shrimp was produced, but by the late 1990s,
over 1 million MT (MMT) shrimp was produced (Tacon, 2002).
In 2017, global farmed shrimp production was around 2.9-3.5 million tons with 75-80%
originating in the Asia-pacific region (FAO, 2018). In Latin America, around 700,000 tonnes of
shrimp were produced, mainly from Ecuador, Brazil and Mexico. According to an FAO report
(2018), shrimp production is increasing in India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and production has declined
in Malaysia, China and Thailand. Most Asian countries produced L. vannamei; however, Malaysia
changed species from L. vannamei to black tiger shrimp (P. monodon) as a result of early mortality
syndrome disease. Some farmers of Indonesia and Vietnam also culture black tiger shrimp because
of their high financial rate of return (FAO, 2018). Exports from Indonesia, China and Canada have
declined due to lower production and lower wild harvests, respectively (FAO, 2018). On the other
hand, in 2017 shrimp demand was high in North America and East Asia, and the top seven
importing countries were the EU28, US, Viet Nam, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and
Canada (FAO, 2018).
1.4 Quality Concerns Associated with Shrimp
Quality degradation in shrimp is a big issue related to food safety. Problems related to quality are
found in both cultured and captured shrimp, but their causes are different. Common problems of
both wild and cultured shrimp are aesthetic issues such as black spot, effects of post-harvest
5
treatments, and bacterial contamination. However, the main problems of primarily cultured shrimp
are the presence of harmful bacteria and antibiotic residues (Gräslund and Bengtsson, 2001).
1.4.1. Black Spot
Black spot, or melanosis, is a common visual defect both in wild caught and cultured shrimp that
affects marketability (Miget, 2010). The cause of black spot is polyphenol oxidase enzymes (PPO),
an endogenous enzyme complex (Andrade et al., 2015) where tyrosinase is the main active enzyme
(Huang et al., 2010). PPOs act as catalysts for the hydroxylation from o-dihydroxyphenols to
benzoquinones that react with different compounds such as amino acids and oxygen and produce
melanin (Gómez-Guillén et al., 2005). Black pigment melanin accumulates under the carapace,
mostly in the cephalothorax (Nirmal and Benjakul, 2011), cuticle segments, joints of the cuticle
and pleopods and finally in uropods and the telson (Montero et al., 2001; Nirmal and Benjakul,
2012).
Sodium sulfites (NaHSO3) or sodium meta-bisulfites (Na2S2O5) are the most widely used inorganic
chemicals for crustacean melanosis control (Lopez-Caballero et al., 2006, Nirmal and Benjakul,
2009, Miget, 2010, Bono et al., 2012). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
established a regulatory limit of 100 ppm for sulfite residue on shrimp (domestic and imported)
(FDA, 2001). However, the allowable limit varies among countries. For example in Spain, they
are following European regulations where the sulfite residue limit is 150 ppm (Rottlant et al., 2002)
while in Australia the limit is 30 ppm (Diei, 1998). Different factors influence melanosis, such as
species (level of substrate and enzyme), sex, handling during harvesting and storage, season
(period of molting), high temperatures, pH of the muscle (PPO is active in alkaline conditions),
amount of free tyrosine (more free tyrosine indicates more melanosis development), presence of
6
oxygen and copper (copper is a part of the PPO reaction), and geographical origin (Gonçalves and
de Oliveira, 2016). Controlling those factors can be useful for the prevention of black spot.
Sulfites are very effective in preventing black spot, but they are a trigger for asthma attacks and a
known allergen (Collins-Williams, 1983). For hypersensitive asthmatics patients, small amounts
of sulfite can create life threatening conditions (Miget, 2010). Additionally, sulfite is seen as
another additive. As more conscious consumers request sulfite free shrimp, several products exist
that are approved by the European Union (EU) and US for melanosis prevention. These include
Everfresh® (Everfresh) and Xyrex® Prawnfresh™ (Prawnfresh). Both of these compounds use 4-
hexylresorcinol to bind the melanosis-causing enzymes.
7
Fig. 1.1 Black spot development in shrimp. a. Shrimp free of any black spot or melanosis. Credit:
J. Lively. b. Shrimp with high amounts of black spot on the cephalothorax and joints. Credit: M.
Khan.
1.4.2 Pathogenic Bacteria
Some bacteria are natural microflora in shrimp, seafood and aquatic environments, and some
bacteria are present in shrimp due to cross-contamination during poor handling. In the US,
Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong the legal limit in 25 g of raw or cooked shrimp requires
that levels of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Vibrio cholerae be zero (Norhana et al.,
a. b.
8
2010). In the EU, after Campylobacter the main cause of food-borne disease is Salmonella (EFSA,
2011). Salmonella is responsible for salmonellosis disease, and symptoms include diarrhea,
nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting (Ray and Bhunia, 2007). In January- June 2018, shrimp from
Bangladesh, India and Indonesia imported into the US were rejected due to the presence of
Salmonella spp. (FDA, 2018). Vibrio spp. is a natural microflora of aquatic environments, and the
most important human pathogens in this genus are V. cholerae, V. vulnificus, and V.
parahaemolyticus (Gopal et al., 2005). The serotypes of V. cholera O1 and O139 are responsible
for causing cholera by producing enterotoxin (Gopal et al., 2005). The symptoms of infection by
V. parahaemolyticus include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, headache, fever, and vomiting (Ray and
Bhunia, 2007). People who eat raw seafood, especially oysters, are more prone to encounter V.
vulnificus (Alday-Sanz, 2010), and immune compromised patients can be killed by V. vulnificus
infection (Harwood et al., 2004).
L. monocytogenes has been recognized as a human pathogen since 1929, and it is responsible for
listeriosis (Embarek, 1994; McLauchlin et al., 2004). Outbreaks of listeriosis occur due to
consumption of animal-based foods, especially mussels, shrimp, and undercooked seafood
(Norhana et al., 2010), and this species is isolated frequently from different fishery products
worldwide (Pariher et al., 2008). Shrimp have been recalled from the market due to the presence
of L. monocytogenes (Norhana et al., 2010).
Eshcherichia coli is an indicator of fecal contamination and causes health problems like diarrhea,
kidney and bladder infections, dysentery, and haemolytic uremic syndrome depending on strains
(Ray and Bhunia, 2007). There are six types of diarrheagenic E. coli: enterotoxigenic (ETEC),
enteroinvasive (EIEC), enteroaggregative (EAEC), diffusely adherent (DAEC), enteropathogenic
(EPEC ) and Shiga toxin producing (STEC) E. coli (Costa, 2013). In 2004, Nevada, USA, had an
9
enterotoxigenic E. coli outbreak due to consumption of butterfly shrimp in a sushi restaurant, and
the cause was poor handling and infected workers in the value chain (Jain et al., 2008). E. coli
O157:H7 was found in shrimp Fenneropenaeus indicus which was also due to unhygienic handling
practices (Surendraraj et al., 2010).
1.4.3 Disease and Antibiotics
A high demand for shrimp leads to intensive farming, and this can lead to problems of bacterial
diseases (Defoirdt et al., 2011). Multiple factors cause shrimp diseases including the subtropical
environment, nutrition, genetic and physiological factors, viruses, bacteria, fungi and others
(Alday-Sanz, 2010). Shrimp diseases are considered a serious problem and represent the most
important challenge facing the shrimp industry (Holmstrom et al., 2003) as severe financial loss
can occur. China lost about USD $15-30 billion due to disease outbreaks in aquaculture, and half
of the diseases are caused by bacterial infection (Liu et al., 2017). Common bacterial diseases are
fouling disease, vibriosis, mycobacterium, mycoplasma, streptococosis, necrotizing
hepatopancreatitis (NHP), early mortality syndrome (EMS), and others. NHP and Vibrio are
responsible for the majority of infections in shrimp farms (Roque et al., 2001). Vibrio is very
common in shrimp ponds, and mass mortalities have resulted from infections caused by V.
parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus, V. alginolyticus, and V. harveyi (Alday-Sanz, 2010). For the
prevention of bacterial disease, antibiotic and antimicrobial agents are frequently used. Globally,
commonly used antimicrobials are cyclines (oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, tetracyclines),
quinolones (enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, oxolinic acid, ofloxacin, norfloxacin), sulfonamides
(sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethazine), erythromycin, chloramphenicol, florfenicol, sarafloxacin,
perfloxacin, gentamycin, trimethoprim, nitrofuran, tiamulin, furazolidon, and ampicillin (Roque
et al., 2001; Holmstrom et al., 2003, Soto-Rodríguez et al., 2006).
10
The use of antimicrobials is categorized as therapeutic (treatment of established infection),
prophylactic (prevention of infection) and metaphylactic (group application to treat sick animals
as well as prevent disease of other animals) (Romero et al., 2012). In fish culture, the therapeutic
method often used for short periods of time is the oral route (Romero et al., 2012). In Vietnam,
antibiotics are commonly applied as medicated feed and in Thailand, mostly antimicrobials are
used prophylactically (Thuy et al., 2011). The overuse of antibiotics creates different detrimental
effects such as antibiotics spreading to the surrounding environment, antibiotic resistance of
bacteria, and residue presence in seafood (Binh et al., 2018; Done and Halden, 2015). While these
are the results of antimicrobial use, some antimicrobials are generally considered harmful.
Nitrofuran and chloramphenicol are responsible for causing cancer in humans (Vass et al., 2008).
Use of chloramphenicol is banned in USA, EU, Japan, China, Canada and Australia due to the link
with a fatal disease, aplastic anemia, and limited evidence of genetic carcinogenicity (Hanekamp
and Bast, 2015). Nitrofurans have potentially carcinogenic properties and for this reason, it is
completely restricted in many countries including EU, USA, Australia, Philippines, Thailand and
Brazil for the use in food-producing animals (Commission regulation, 1995; Khong et al., 2004).
European countries permit some antibiotics in aquaculture in certain species: oxytetracycline,
erythromycin, florfenicol, sulfonamides and sarafloxacin (Santos and Ramos, 2016).
Antimicrobials banned for use by FDA include chloramphenicol, nitrofurans, quinolones,
fluorinated quinolones, nitroimidazoles, non-steroidal stilbestrol, steroids, antimicrobial dyes, beta
adrenergic agonists and glycopeptides. According to European legislation, in directive 2001/82/EC
(European Commission, 2001) and in regulation 470/2009 (European Commission, 2009), food of
animal origin should not contain any drug residue that can be harmful to human health from a
toxicological, microbiological or pharmacological perspective (Santos and Ramos, 2016).
11
1.4.4 Antibiotic Resistance
Incidence of antibiotic resistant bacteria is very dangerous for shrimp farms as well as the aquatic
environment. According to the World Health Organization, antibiotic resistance is considered one
of the important problems for human health (Bassetti et al., 2011). The most dangerous threat of
drug-resistant bacteria in an aquatic environment is the potential transfer of a drug-resistant strain
from the aquatic environment to the terrestrial environment, potentially affecting humans.
Resistant bacterial strains can also be transferred to the human body through ingestion of seafood
which contains the resistant bacteria (Gräslund and Bengtsson, 2001).
Antibiotics are generally applied with feed. Antibiotic residue has been found in aquaculture farm
sediment several months after administration (Le et al., 2005). Antibiotics used to target specific
organisms can also enter the environment due to water discharge and cause harm to the ecosystem
(Thuy and Loan, 2011). Many antibiotics, including both banned and approved, can be toxic for
wild organisms and algae (Ferreira et al., 2007). Single or multiple antibiotic resistance can
develop (McPhearson et al., 1991). Antibiotic resistant Vibrio and Bacillus bacteria were found in
Thailand shrimp farms, and the bacteria were primarily resistant to trimethoprim and
sulfamethoxazole (Le et al., 2005). In Bangladesh, most of the shrimp produced are aquacultured.
It is reported that in Bangladesh around 70% of pathogenic bacteria are resistant to at least one
commonly used antibiotic (Jilani et al., 2008). Bacteria isolated from export quality shrimp were
resistant to several selective antibiotics (Ahmed et al, 2013). The more antibiotics are used, the
more quickly antibacterial resistance will develop. When such resistance develops, growth of
bacteria cannot be halted with the antibiotic, and the antibiotics are unable to treat or cure the
disease.
12
1.5. Research Objectives
Due to possible health, safety, and quality concerns, the goal of this project was to study the
effects of chemicals, bacteria, and antibiotics on quality in shrimp from Louisiana and
Bangladesh. Specific objectives include the following:
1. Determine the effects of melanosis prevention on proximate composition (moisture,
ash, protein, and lipid), color (L*a*b*), texture (hardness, resilience, springiness, and
chewiness) and bacterial condition (total plate count) by chemical, instrumental and
microbiological analysis,
2. Determine the presence of sulfite residue,
3. Determine the presence of pathogenic bacteria on shrimp,
4. Determine the presence of antimicrobial drug residue in imported shrimp, and
5. Detect antibiotic resistant bacterial strains isolated from farmed shrimp and shrimp
farm soil.
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13
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Asian shrimp farming, and their potential impact on the environment — a review.
Science of the Total Environment, 280(1), 93-131.
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factors associated with the stage-specific abundance of brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus)
in Louisiana: applying a new combination of statistical techniques to long-term
monitoring data. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 58(11), 2258-2270.
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Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 39(1), 213-220.
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of Vibrio vulnificus from oysters and environmental sources: a review. Journal of
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K.D., Parsons, M., Bopp, C.A., Todd, R., Hoekstra, M., Mintz, E.D. and Ram, P.K. (2008)
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(2004). Analysis of matrix-bound nitrofuran residues in worldwide-originated honeys by
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farming in mangrove areas. Science of the Total Environment, 349(1-3), 95-105.
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antibiotics in Chinese aquaculture: A review. Environmental Pollution, 223, 161-169.
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18
CHAPTER 2. EFFECT OF MELANOSIS CONTROL ON PROXIMATE
COMPOSITION, BACTERIAL CONDITION, COLOR AND TEXTURE OF SHRIMP
2.1 Introduction
Black spot, or melanosis, is a common visual defect both in wild caught and cultured shrimp that
affect marketability (Miget, 2010). The cause of black spot is polyphenol oxidase enzymes (PPO),
an endogenous enzyme complex (Andrade et al., 2015) where tyrosinase is the main active enzyme
(Huang et al., 2010). Sodium sulfites (NaHSO3) or sodium meta-bisulfites (Na2S2O5) are the most
widely used inorganic chemicals effective for crustacean melanosis control (Lopez-Caballero et
al., 2006; Nirmal and Benjakul, 2009; Miget, 2010; Bono et al., 2012). Sulfites are very effective
for preventing black spot, but they are a trigger for asthma attacks and a known allergen (Collins-
Williams, 1983). For hypersensitive asthmatics patients, small amounts of sulfite can create life
threatening conditions (Miget, 2010). As more conscious consumers request sulfite free shrimp,
several products exist that are approved by the European Union (EU) and United Stated (US) for
melanosis prevention. These include Everfresh® (Everfresh) and Xyrex® Prawnfresh™
(Prawnfresh). Both of these compounds use 4-hexylresorcinol to bind the melanosis-causing
enzymes. However, the effects of dipping shrimp in solutions of these compounds on quality are
unknown.
Shrimp flesh is considered a good source of protein, minerals and a highly unsaturated fatty acid
namely eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid (Feliz et al., 2002; Yanar and Celik, 2005).
The biochemical composition of shrimp can be influenced by season, origin and handling (Yanar
and Celik, 2005; Puga-López et al., 2013). Information regarding the effect of melanosis
prevention treatments such as sulfite, Everfresh and Prawnfresh on nutritive composition of shrimp
is currently unknown. Some study reported the sulfite and Everfresh effect bacterial condition
19
(Martinez-Alvarez et al., 2005) but a comparable study on the effect of sulfite, Everfresh and
Prawnfresh on bacterial count in shrimp is not available.
Color of food is an important attribute that consumers use first to determine purchase. Consumer
evaluate the food quality by color, and color can give basic quality information about food such as
freshness, desirability, maturity and food safety (Wu and Sun, 2013). Color is not an intrinsic
quality, and it depends on light source, amount of light, background, observer’s absorbance, view,
and angle of illumination (Giese, 2000; Wu and Sun, 2013). Visual color determination can be
affected by those factors, and for this reason, an instrument is used to obtain consistent values of
color for food research. In 1976, the Commission Internationale de l’ Eclairage (CIE) introduced
a model to describe both the visible and invisible color (based on the human eye) in three
components (Pérez-Magariño and González-Sanjosé, 2003). These three components are defined
as X, Y and Z, and they are known as the tri-stimulus value. The concept of the CIE XYZ system
is any color in the system can be obtained from the combination of three primary colors red, green
and blue, but practically that was not possible. For this reason, CIE redefined the model to CIE L*
a* b* (Pérez-Magariño and González-Sanjosé, 2003). In the food industry, CIE L* a* b* is
commonly used whereas, L* is equal to degree of lightness where 0 means black and 100 means
white; generally, it refers to the relation between the reflected and absorbed value. Degree of
redness (0 to 60) or greenness (0 to -60) is equal to a*, and degree of yellowness (0 to 60) or
blueness (0 to -60) is equal to b*.
Texture is another important parameter that can be used to measure food quality. Texture analysis
measures the properties related to how people feel the food in their mouth. According to
Szczesniak (1963), texture is sensory as well as functional manifestation of mechanical, structural
and surface properties of food which can be detected by the senses of touch, hearing, vision and
20
kinesthetic (Lawless and Heymann, 2010). Both sensory (sight, touch, smell and taste) and
instrumental methods are used for texture analysis in food quality analysis today. An instrumental
method is sometimes preferable as it can be performed under strict controlled conditions, saves
time and cost, and gives objective results compared to sensory analysis. Instrumental techniques
can be categorized into three groups: fundamental test, empirical test, and imitative test, which
includes texture profile analysis. Textural characteristics can be classified into geometrical
attributes, mechanical attributes and attributes related to moisture and fat (Szczesniak, 1963).
Among these, mechanical characteristics are most important as it determines food behavior within
mouth during mastication (Table 2.1).
Table. 2.1. Parameters of mechanical texture
Primary characteristics Secondary
characteristics
Terms defined
Hardness Hard, soft, firm
Cohesiveness Brittleness
Chewiness
Gumminess
Crunchy, brittle, crumbly
Tender, Chewy
Gummy, pastry, mealy
Springiness Elastic
Adhesiveness Sticky
Resilience Similar to elasticity
Hardness can be defined as the force required to compress a substance between the tongue and the
palate or bite completely, and it is measured by the force necessary to obtain a given deformation.
21
Cohesiveness is defined as the degree of compression between teeth before it breaks, and it can be
measured as the extent materials can be deformed before they rupture. Within cohesiveness, the
secondary characteristics are brittleness, chewiness, and gumminess. Brittleness can be defined as
the force to fracture the material; time required to chew a sample that can be ready for swallowing
is known as chewiness. Springiness can be defined as after compression, the degree of the product
or material returning to the original shape. Adhesiveness can be defined as the effort needed to
overcome the attractive forces between food surface and surface of other materials that have
contact with that food. Resilience is similar to elasticity and can be defined as how well or properly
a product fights to recover its original position. Resilience is expressed by an energy ratio (Trinh
and Glasgow, 2012).
Texture of shrimp can be affected by many factors including post-harvest handling, endogenous
biochemical changes, and storage temperature. Textural changes of shrimp due to freezing,
antioxidants, bacterial attack, and processing were already studied (Avila‐Villa et al., 2012; Fu et
al., 2014; Tsironi et al., 2009; Valencia-Perez et al., 2015). Color changes due to chilled storage,
frozen storage, copper treatment, and time duration have also been studied in shrimp (Martínez et
al., 2014; Valencia-Perez et al., 2015; Zhang et al, 2015).
Like proximate composition, color and texture analysis after melanosis prevention treatment have
not been studied. The goal of this study is to determine the changes of basic chemical composition,
bacterial quantity, and color and texture of shrimp due to the application of melanosis prevention
treatments including sulfite, Everfresh and Prawnfresh over time.
22
2.2 Methods
2.2.1 Sources of shrimp
Wild caught white shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus) and brown shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus)
from Louisiana, US and cultured giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) and Asian
tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) from Bangladesh were used as positive controls for proximate
composition and total plate count of bacteria. For color and texture analysis, only wild caught L.
setiferus and F. aztecus from Louisiana were used. All shrimp were free of post-harvest dips and
purchased directly from the fisherman, dock or processor during fall 2015, summer 2016 and
winter 2017. Three separate replicates of each type of shrimp were treated and tested
(approximately 2.3 kg of shrimp per replicate) (Table 2.2). Experiments were performed in the
School of Renewable Natural Resources and Nutrition and Food Science Lab, Louisiana State
University (LSU), USA and Department of Fisheries Technology Lab, Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Bangladesh.
2.2.2 Treatments
Once in the lab, shrimp were divided randomly into one of three treatments (sulfite, Everfresh,
Prawnfresh) or a control (untreated). All treatments dips were done following manufacturer
recommendations. Treatments came directly from local suppliers in Louisiana, and all saltwater
was a mix of deionized (DI) water and Instant Ocean. For Sulfite, 136.08 g Sulfite (sodium
metabisulfite, NF/Food and Photographic grade, Esseco, USA) were mixed with 11.3 l of ambient
saltwater (19°C) at 5 ppt. The pH was 6.9, and shrimp dipped for 60 s. For Everfresh, 24 g of
Everfresh (Andenex-Chemie Engelhard + Partner GMBH, Humburg) were mixed with 11.3 l of
ambient saltwater (19°C) at 2.2 ppt. The pH was 6.9, and shrimp were dipped for 1 min. For
Prawnfresh, 12 ml of Prawnfresh (Prawnfresh +, Xyrex) were mixed with 11.3 l of cold (5°C)
23
saltwater at 30 ppt. The pH was 5.4, and shrimp were dipped for 10 min. For control, shrimp were
rinsed well with DI water at room temperature of 21°C at 0 ppt, and pH was 7.6.
Table 2.2. Source and condition of shrimp used for proximate composition, total plate count, color
and texture analysis
For proximate composition (moisture, ash, protein, and lipid), the head and shell of shrimp were
removed, and flesh ground by blender (Cuisinart food processor) to obtain uniformity immediately
after treatment. Moisture and ash determination were started just after completion of the treatment.
Protein and lipid sample were transfer to a microcentrifuge tube (1.5 ml with lid, Sigma-Aldrich),
kept in a freezer at -20°C, and the experiments were done within 7 days of treatment. For testing
total plate count (TPC) of bacteria, control and treated shrimp were stored on ice at 5°C and
experiment was started within 12-18 h.
Replicate Date Source Condition
White shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus)
1 Fall 2015 Dulac, LA Fresh on Ice
2 Fall 2015 Montegut, LA Frozen on ice
3 Fall 2015 Montegut, LA Frozen on ice
Brown shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus)
1 Summer 2016 Dulac, LA Fresh on Ice
2 Summer 2016 Dulac, LA Fresh on Ice
3 Summer 2016 Dulac, LA Fresh on Ice
Giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)
1 Fall 2017 Mongla, Khulna, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
2 Fall 2017 Mongla, Khulna, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
3 Fall 2017 Mongla, Khulna, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
Asian tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon)
1 Fall 2017 Mongla, Khulna, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
2 Fall 2017 Mongla, Khulna, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
3 Fall 2017 Mongla, Khulna, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
24
For testing possible changes in quality over time mimicking the common supply chain of shrimp
to retail stores, shrimp were stored on ice, and temperature was maintained at 4°C. Color and
texture analysis was done at 1, 4, 7, and 12 days post treatment. All shrimp were sampled without
replacement. From each of the treatments (control, Sulfite, Everfresh and Prawnfresh), 10 shrimp
were randomly selected for color and texture analysis on each of the 4 time points post treatment.
The head and shell of shrimp were removed, and shrimp were allowed to reach room temperature
before testing.
2.2.3 Proximate analysis
2.2.3.1 Moisture determination:
The moisture content was analyzed by the Pearson method (1976). About 5 g of homogeneous
shrimp sample were placed in a weighed aluminum plate (Fisher brand). Shrimp samples were
weighed using an electric balance (AL54 analytical balance, Mettler Toledo) and dried in a hot air
oven (US: Isotemp oven, Fisher Scientific; BD: Precision™, Thermofisher Scientific) at 105°C
for 24 h (enough for weight to be consistent). Plates were placed in a desiccator until the final
weight of shrimp was taken. The percentage of moisture content were calculated as Moisture (%)
= ((weight of sample – weight of dried sample)/ weight of sample) ×100. Three replicates for each
sample were done, and the average was calculated.
2.2.3.2 Ash determination:
For ash determination (AOAC, 1990), 5 g of homogenous shrimp sample were placed in a crucible
of known weight (AL54 analytical balance, Mettler Toledo) and placed into a muffle furnace (US:
Thermolyne Muffle Furnace, 30400, Barnstead; BD: Lindberg, Thermo scientific). Temperature
was maintained at 550°C for 6 h, and then the final weight was taken. The percentage of ash
25
content were calculated as, % of Ash= (weight (crucible + ash) – weight (crucible) / sample weight)
x 100. Three replicates for each sample were done, and the average was calculated.
2.2.3.3 Lipid determination:
Total lipid content of shrimp was estimated by the Folch method (1957). Homogenized shrimp
(0.5 g, weight was taken by Mettler Toledo- AL54 analytical balance) was placed in a test tube
(Falcon™ 50 ml Conical Centrifuge Tubes, Becton Dickinson), and 10 ml Chloroform (HPLC
grade, Fisher scientific) -methanol (99% purity, Fisher Scientific) (2:1) mixture was added to each
test tube for a final volume 20 times of the volume of shrimp sample. Samples were homogenized
using a vortex (US: miniroto S56, Fisher Scientific; BD: VM-96E, Lab Companion), and then an
orbital shaker (Scienceware spindrive orbital shaker platform) was placed on a stirring hotplate
(US: Isotemp, Fisher Scientific; BD: Cimarec, Thermo Scientific) to agitate the mixture for 25 min
at RT of 21°C. Filtration was done using Whatman filter paper (4 qualitative, 9.0 cm). Chloroform-
methanol was used to rinse the test tube. Then 0.2 volume of DI water was added. Samples were
mixed well by vortex and centrifuged (US: Sorvall legend x 1r centrifuge, Thermo Scientific; BD:
5702 series, Eppendorf) for 20 min at 2000 rpm. The upper phase was pipetted off, and a water
bath (microprocessor controlled 280 series, Precision, Thermo Scientific) at 85°C under the hood
was used to evaporate the liquid. After evaporation, the final lipid weight was taken. Three
replicates for each sample were done, and the average was calculated.
2.2.3.4 Protein Determination:
Modified Lowry (Lowry, 1951) protein method was used for the estimation of protein. A Modified
Lowry protein assay kit (Thermo Scientific, number 23240) was used. Estimation of total protein
was done in two steps: chloroform-methanol precipitation and modified Lowry protein assay.
26
Chloroform-methanol precipitation
For the chloroform-methanol precipitation, 0.005 g (weight was taken by Mettler Toledo AL54
analytical balance) of homogenous shrimp sample were placed in an eppendorf (1.5 ml with lid,
Sigma-Aldrich) with 100 µl DI water. Methanol (99% purity, Fisher Scientific) (400 µl) was added
and vortexed (US: miniroto S56, Fisher Scientific; BD: VM-96E, Lab Companion) to mix.
Chloroform (HPLC grade, Fisher Scientific) (100 µl) was added and vortexed; finally, 300 µl DI
water was added, vortexed, and centrifuged (US: mini centrifuge, Fisher Scientific; BD: centrifuge
5424, Eppendorf) for 2 min. The top aqueous layer was removed, and 400 µl of methanol were
added to the eppendorf, vortexed and centrifuged for 3 min. The extra methanol was removed by
pipette without disturbing the pellet, and the pellet was kept under the hood to dryness. In order to
dissolve the protein pellet, 1000 µl of 0.1 M NaOH (≥ 98%, pellets (anhydrous), Sigma-Aldrich)
was added. After 5-6 hrs., samples were placed in a water bath at 90°C for 5 min until the pellet
was completely dissolved.
Modified Lowry Protein Assay
For the Lowry method, diluted albumin (BSA) standards were prepared according to the
instruction of Modified Lowry Protein Assay Kit (Table 2.3).
27
Table 2.3. Preparation of Diluted Albumin (BSA) Standards
Vial Volume of Diluent Volume and Source of BSA Final BSA Concentration
A 250 µL 750 µL of Stock 1500 µg/ ml
B 625 µL 625 µL of Stock 1000 µg/ ml
C 310 µL 310 µL of vial A dilution 750 µg/ ml
D 625 µL 625 µL of vial B dilution 500 µg/ ml
E 625 µL 625 µL of vial D dilution 250 µg/ ml
F 625 µL 625 µL of vial E dilution 125 µg/ ml
G 800 µL 200 µL of vial F dilution 25 µg/ ml
H 800 µL 200 µL of vial G dilution 5 µg/ ml
I 800 µL 200 µL of vial H dilution 1 µg/ ml
J 1000 µL 0 0 µg/ ml = Blank
For test tube procedure, 200 µl of each standard or shrimp sample were transferred to a disposable
cuvette (Fisher Brand) with each sample being run in triplicate. At 15 s intervals, 1000 µl of
Modified Lowry Reagent were added to each cuvette, covered by parafilm (Parafilm M™
Wrapping Film, Fisher Scientific) mixed well by shaking, and incubated at RT of 21°C for exactly
10 min. Next, 100 µL of prepared 1X Folin-Ciocalteu Reagent was added, covered by parafilm,
mixed well by shaking, and all cuvettes incubated at RT of 21°C for 30 min. The
spectrophotometer (US: Evolution 160 UV-VIS, Thermoscientific; BD: T70+ UV/VIS
spectrophotometer, PG instrument ltd.) was set at 750 nm, and one cuvette was filled with DI water
to zero the spectrophotometer. All shrimp samples and BSA standards absorbance were measured.
Absorbance values of samples were subtracted from the blank standard. A standard curve was
prepared by plotting the average blank-corrected 750 nm value for each BSA standard vs. its
concentration in µg/ml. The standard curve was used for the determination of protein concentration
28
of shrimp samples using the average absorbance value. For each batch of shrimp, three replicates
were run, and the average was calculated.
2.2.4 Quantitative Estimation of Bacteria
Microbiological analysis was performed according to the standard procedure for the enumeration
and identification of microorganisms (BAM, 2001). To indicate the level of microorganisms in
treated (control, Sulfite, Everfresh, Prawnfresh) shrimp, the aerobic plate count method was used.
Shrimp head and shell were removed, and then 100 g shrimp from each treatment was
homogenized by blender. A homogenized sample of 25 g was used for each replicate. Each sample
was run in triplicate. A sample of 25 g homogenized shrimp was transferred to stomacher bag
aseptically and mixed with 225 ml phosphate buffer saline (PBS) by stomacher (Easy Mix lab
blender, AES Laboratoire) for 60 s. Dilutions of that solution (10-1 and 10-2, 10-3 and10-4) were
prepared by consecutive transfer of 1 ml from the first dilution to three dilution test tube which
contained 9 ml PBS. Then 1 ml of each dilution was pipetted onto appropriately marked Petri
dishes, in duplicate. Around 15 ml plate count agar (cooled to 45 ± 1°C) was added to each plate.
Sample dilutions and agar medium were mixed uniformly by rotation of plates. After solidification
of agar solidified Petri dishes were inverted, and the incubation period was 48 ± 2 h at 35°C. All
plates were visually examined.
Plates with 25-250 CFU calculated as,
Where N = Number of colonies per ml or g of product, ∑ C = Sum of all colonies on all plates
counted, n1 = Number of plates in the first dilution counted, n2 = Number of plates in the second
dilution counted, d = Dilution from which the first counts were obtained. When plate count was
29
fewer than 25 CFU each, actual plate count was recorded but not use for calculation. If any plate
counts were more than 250, the plate was discarded and recorded as too many to count and not use
for calculation.
2.2.5 Color analysis
A colorimeter (Portable Baking Meter, BC-10, Konica Minolta) was used to test for color
differences in raw shrimp based on treatment and days. The shrimp were weighed and placed on
the flat surface during the experiment. The colorimeter was standardized by taking a reading from
standard white reference tile (L* = 97.5, a*=0.18, b*= 1.72). The first segment of shrimp body was
used for color measurement. Differences of color in shrimp were read by the CIEL*A*B method;
L* means lightness, a* indicate the red/green value and b* the yellow/blue value.
Total color differences were calculated as,
Here, L0, a0, b0 are the values of control shrimp.
2.2.6 Texture analysis
A texture analyzer (TA.XT Plus, Stable Micro System) was used for measuring hardness,
resilience, springiness and chewiness. After the head and shell were removed, the shrimp was
weighed, and the thickness of the second segment (thickest part) of shrimp body was measured by
slide calipers. Shrimp samples were compressed to 50 % of their original height by a round probe
(diameter= 5 mm). Double compression (5 s delay between) was applied. Pre-test and post-test
speed were 0.50 mm/second, test speed was 1mm/second and trigger force was 0.5 g. Calibration
was done daily before the experiment with the manufacturer-provided 2 kg standard.
30
2.2.7 Statistical analysis
A two-way ANOVA was used to test for significant difference in proximate composition and total
plate count between species and treatment as well as interactions (Sigma Plot Systat Software, V.
14)). For color and texture, outliers for color and texture were identified by interquartile range and
removed. Two-way ANOVA was carried out in Sigma Plot (Systat Software, V. 14) using the
treatment (four treatments) and storage time (1, 4, 7, 12 days) as factors. A p < 0.05 was set to
indicate statistical significance. Tukey’s HSD post hoc was used to identify significant differences
in the ANOVA. All results are reported in mean ± SD.
2.3 Results and Discussion
2.3.1 Proximate analysis
In order to test if melanosis prevention treatments had an effect on proximate quality, moisture,
ash, lipid, and protein were measured. No significant difference was found between the moisture,
ash, protein and lipid contents of control and treated shrimp (p > 0.05). However, for each
parameter, species were significantly different (p < 0.001). Moisture content ranged from 77.29 ±
0.01% (L. setiferus) to 79.92 ± 0.01% (P. monodon). P. monodon had a significantly higher
moisture level than F. aztecus and L. setiferus, while M. rosenbergii and F. aztecus were
significantly higher than L. setiferus (Fig. 2.1).
31
Species
M. rosenbergii P. monodon L. setiferus F. aztecus
Mo
istu
re (
%)
0
20
40
60
80
100Control Sulfite Everfresh Prawnfresh
ab a
c b
Fig. 2.1. Moisture content of four shrimp species. Error bars represent SD, and different letters
indicate statistical difference by species (ANOVA; p < 0.001).
For ash content, L. setiferus (1.72 ± 0.11%) had the highest ash content and was significantly
different (p < 0.05) to P. monodon (1.38 ± 0.30%) and F. aztecus (1.50 ± 0.19%). M. rosenbergii
(1.72 ± 0.11%) was significantly higher than P. monodon and F. aztecus (Fig.2.2).
32
Species (%)
Fig. 2.2. Ash content of four shrimp species. Error bars represent SD, and different letters indicate
statistical difference by species (ANOVA; p < 0.001).
For protein content, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) found with P. monodon (782.34
± 66.72 µg/ml)) with the highest protein content to L. setiferus (667.07 ± 137.82 µg/ml), M.
rosenbergii (669.35 ± 65.87 µg/ml) and F. aztecus (714.40 ± 79.09 µg/ml). However, no
significant difference (p > 0.05) was found between F. aztecus, L. setiferus, and M. rosenbergii
(Fig. 2.3).
For lipid content, M. rosenbergii (1.73 ± 0.06%) had the highest lipid percentage and was only
significantly difference (p < 0.05) than P. monodon (1.23 ± 0.08%). No significant differences
were found (p > 0.05) with F. aztecus (1.39 ± 1.12%) and L. setiferus (1.57 ± 0.85%) (Fig. 2.4).
33
Fig. 2.3. Protein content of four shrimp species. Error bars represent SD, and
different letters indicate statistical difference by species (ANOVA; p < 0.001).
Species
M. rosenbergii P. monodon L. setiferus F. aztecus
Pro
tein
(ug/m
l)
0
200
400
600
800
1000
Control Sulfite Everfresh Prawnfresh
b
a
b b
34
Fig. 2.4. Lipid content of four shrimp species. Error bars represent SD, and different letters
indicate statistical difference by species (ANOVA; p < 0.001).
Overall, there was no effect of melanosis prevention treatment on the proximate composition of
the shrimp so any of the prevention compounds can be used without concerns of proximate quality
changes. Cadun et al., (2008) researched the effect of rosemary extract on shrimp composition,
and no significant difference was found for that treatment. The species compositions were different
among species because body composition can vary for different species and can be influenced by
season, habitat, feed, water temperature, maturity and spawning cycle and water temperature
(Ockerman, 1992; Razia, 2010; Venugopal and Gopakumar, 2017). Shrimp sample of this research
35
were from four sources: L. setiferus and F. aztecus were wild caught and M. rosenbergii and P.
monodon were collected from a farm, and the time of collection was also different. One study
reported that the proximate composition of wild harvested white shrimp L. vannamei is
comparatively better than the farmed shrimp because of wide variety of food in aquatic
environment (Puga-López et al., 2013). Some factors were unknown like the moulting time, types
of feed for farmed shrimp, water condition or habitat, and those can influence the biochemical
composition.
2.3.2 Microbiological analysis
In order to test if melanosis prevention treatment has an effect on microbial levels, total plate count
(TPC) was measured in four species, each treated with one of three compounds or a control.
Treatment was not significantly different (p = 0.09) although Sulfite and Everfresh always had the
lowest TPC in each species. Species were significantly different in TPC (p < 0.001) with M.
rosenbergii having the highest TPC and L. setiferus having the lowest TPC (Fig. 2.5). There is a
report that 0.05% 4-hexylresorcinol cannot inhibit the growth of microorganism (European
Commission, 2003). Additionally, 4-hexylresorcinol does not have effective antimicrobial effect
on P. japonicas (López-Caballero et al., 2003). These results are similar for sulfite treatments
where shrimp were treated with 2% sodium sulfite, but this did not significantly affect microbial
load of the shrimp (Attala, 2012).
The TPC of all species were within the acceptable limit. According to the International
Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (1986), shrimp is not acceptable if the
bacterial load exceeds 6-7 log10 cfu/g. In this research, the range of bacterial load was 2.5 log 10
cfu/g for L. setiferus to 5.34 log10 cfu/g for M. rosenbergii. The TPC count of four species was
significantly different, and that is natural. Fish and shellfish carry natural microflora and feeding
36
habits. Water quality can also influence the microbial quantity and quality (Ray and Bhunia, 2007).
In Bangladesh the bacterial loads of P. monodon from 4 sources were different, ranging was 2.4
X 102 cfu/ml to 4.8 X 105 cfu/ml (Yousuf et al., 2008). In this research, farmed shrimp had higher
microbial loads (5.14 log10 cfu/g in P. monodon and 5.34 log10 cfu/g for M. rosenbergii than wild
caught shrimp (2.5 log10 cfu/g in L. setiferus and 4.14 log10 cfu/g in F. aztecus). The differences
of water source and quality, habitat structure, feeding habit, stocking density between culture
system, and natural system may affect the gut microorganism of aquatic organisms (Prieur et al.
1990). Although only flesh of shrimp was tested, different environments and different seasons
could result in different bacterial quantity. L. setiferus, M. rosenbergii and P. monodon were
collected in the fall while F. aztecus was collected in the summer.
37
Fig. 2.5. Total Plate Count of the four shrimp species. Error bars represent SD, and different letters
indicate statistical difference by species (ANOVA; p < 0.001).
2.3.3 Color analysis
To determine if there was a color change based on melanosis treatment over time, L*, a*, and b*
color values were determined. The L* axis reflects the lightness (values range from 0 to 100),
while the a* axis reflects the red/green colors (positive values to negative values, red to green,
respectively), and the b* axis indicates the yellow/blue colors (positive values to negative values,
38
yellow to blue, respectively). For both L. setiferus and F. aztecus, the L*value significantly
increased over time (L. setiferus p<0.001 and F. aztecus p<0.001) (Fig. 2.6). An increase in the L*
value means shrimp became lighter in color. However, there was no significant change based on
treatment. For F. aztecus, across time, the mean L* score ranged from 56.94 ± 1.75 for the
Prawnfresh to 57.82 ± 1.97 for the Control. Across the treatments, the L* score increased from
54.76 ± 1.61 on Day 1 to 58.71 ± 2.13 on Day 12. Day 1 was significantly the lowest, while Day
12 was the highest, but not significantly higher than Day 7 (Fig. 2.6). L. setiferus had similar
results. Across time, the mean L* score ranged from 58.11 ± 1.51 for the Control to 58.88 ± 1.91
for the Sulfite. Across the treatments, the L* score increased from 55.86 ± 0.80 on Day 1 to 60.27
± 0.93 on Day 12. Day 1 was significantly the lowest, while Day 12 was the highest, and each time
point was significantly different than the others (Fig. 2.6).
Color changes of shrimp due to time duration has been documented before. In case of chilled
storage with slurry ice, the L* value decreased with time, or became darker in color (Zhang et al.,
2015). However, in this study, the shrimp became lighter. In a study of color changes during ice
storage, shrimp became darker due to black spot formation as that shrimp was not peeled and not
treated with a melanosis preventer. In the present study, black spot preventing chemicals and
peeled shrimp were used, and for this reason shrimp color did not become darker. Cadun et al.
(2008) found that, L* value of rosemary-treated marinated shrimp P. longirostris increased over
time during storage at 1°C.
39
Fig. 2.6. L* value trends in A. L. setiferus and B. F. aztecus. Error bars represent SD, and letters
indicate statistical significance by day
L*
Score
40
45
50
55
60
65
Control
Sulfite
Everfresh
Prawnfresh
Day
1 4 7 12
L*
Score
40
45
50
55
60
65B. F. aztecus
A. L. setiferus
a
bc
c
ab c d
40
A positive value of a* indicates shrimp are reddish in color, and negative value indicates a greenish
color. There was no significant effect of treatment on a*. For L. setiferus, a* increased significantly
over time (p = 0.01). The treatments ranged from -0.03± 0.39 for the Prawnfresh to -0.26 ± 0.29
for the Control. Across the treatments, the a* score increased from -0.42 ± 0.57 on Day 1 to -0.24
± 0.64 on Day 12. Day 1 was significantly the lowest, while Day 12 was the highest, but not
significantly higher than Day 7 (Fig. 2.7). For F. aztecus, a* also changed significantly over time
(p = 0.001) but not between treatments (p > 0.05). Across time, the mean a* score ranged from
0.52 ± 0.35 for the Prawnfresh to 0.62 ± 0.41 for Sulfite. Across the treatments, the a* score
increased from 0.05 ± 0.60 on Day 1 to 0.94 ± 0.41 on Day 12. Day 1 was significantly the lowest,
while Day 12 was the highest, but not significantly higher than Day 7 (Fig. 2.7).
No significant difference was found in blue shrimp (L. stylirostris) color (a* value) during frozen
storage up to 120 days (Valencia-Perez et al. 2015). In the current results, the a* value increased
in F. aztecus over time, and for L. setiferus, a* increased for the first week but then began to
decrease again. The different in the current results and blue shrimp could be due to the blue shrimp
being fully frozen. However, Cadun et al., (2008) reported that a* value of rosemary-treated pink
shrimp was not significantly different when stored at 1°C.
41
Fig. 2.7. a* value trends in A. L. setiferus and B. F. aztecus. Error bars represent SD, and letters
indicate statistical significance by day.
a*
Sco
re
-2
-1
0
1
Control Sulfite Everfresh Prawnfresh
Day
1 4 7 12
a*
Sco
re
-2
-1
0
1
2B. F. aztecus
A. L. setiferus
ab
bc
a a
b
a
42
An increase in b* value indicates the shrimp color is becoming more yellowish while a decrease
indicates an increase in blue. L. setiferus color significantly changed over time (p < 0.001) but not
by treatment (p > 0.05). The treatments ranged from 0.40 ± 0.22 for the Prawnfresh to 0.80 ± 0.35
for Sulfite. Across the treatments, the b* score increased from 0.36 ± 0.50 on Day 1 to 0.84 ± 0.33
on Day 7, but then b* decreased to 0.57 ± 0.65 on Day 12. Day 1 was significantly the lowest,
while Day 12 was the highest, but not significantly higher than Day 7 (Fig. 2.8). The b* value for
F. aztecus also changed significantly with time (p = 0.001), but not with treatment (p > 0.05). The
treatments all had a mean of 2.5 ± 0.03. Across the treatments, the b* score increased from 1.36 ±
1.05 on Day 1 to 3.72 ± 1.20 on Day 12. Day 1 was significantly the lowest, while Day 12 was the
highest, but not significantly higher than Day 7 (Fig. 2.8).
In this research, b* of L. setiferus increased for a week but then decreased by day 12, and b* of F.
aztecus increased over the entire time. In storage with slurry ice, b* of Litopenaeus vannamei
decreased with time (Zhang et al., 2015). Lipid oxidation was the cause of the L* and b* change
over time (Zhang et al., 2015). However, Cadun et al., (2008) reported that b* value of rosemary-
treated pink shrimp was significantly different between the first three periods of storage (0, 15 and
30 days) and the last three periods (45, 60 and 75 days) of storage at 1°C. In that study, b* value
was higher in early periods of storage and lower in later periods of storage (Cadun et al., 2008).
43
Fig. 2.8. The b* value trends in A. L. setiferus and B. F. aztecus. Error bars represent SD, and
letters indicate statistical significance by day.
b*
Score
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
Control Sulfite Everfresh Prawnfresh
Day
1 4 7 12
b*
Score
0
2
4
6
B. F. aztecus
A. L. setiferus
a
b
c d
a
ab
b
b
44
No significant change of total color difference (∆E) was found due to treatment (control, Sulfite,
Everfresh, or Prawnfresh for F. aztecus (p > 0.05) (Fig. 2.9). For L. setiferus, ∆E significant
changes due to treatment were found only for Sulfite compared to the control (p = 0.011) and
Prawnfresh compared with sulfite, (p = 0.04) but no significant changes were found for Everfresh,
control and Prawnfresh (p > 0.05). However, significant changes were found between time points
(L. setiferus p < 0.001; F. aztecus p < 0.001) and except for F. aztecus between day 7 and day 12
no significant changes were found (p > 0.05) (Fig. 2.9).
In general, total color differences (∆E) are classified as small difference (ΔE < 1.5), distinct (1.5
< ΔE < 3) and very distinct (ΔE > 3) (Pathare et al., 2012). For L. setiferus and F. aztecus, on day
1, differences of color were found that cannot be identified by normal visualization: in L. setiferus,
0.8 ± 0.4 for Sulfite, 1.01 ± 0.4 for Everfresh and 0.79 ± 0.57 for Prawnfresh and in F. aztecus,1.6
± 0.2 for Sulfite, 1.2 ± 0.6 for Everfresh and 2.0 ± 0.24 for Prawnfresh. On day 4, distinct color
changes (ranges 2.24 ± 0.89 for control in L. setiferus to 4.3± 2.3 for Prawnfresh in F. aztecus)
were found, but these would still not visible to the naked eye. However, on day 7 and day 12, very
distinct color differences were found (5.4 ± 1.5 for L. setiferus Sulfite and 5.8 ± 1.9 for F. aztecus
control).
45
Fig. 2.9. Total color differences (∆E) trends in A. L. setiferus and B. F. aztecus. Error bars
represent SD, and letters indicate statistical significance by day.
Delta E
0
2
4
6
8
10Control
Sulfite
Everfresh
Prawnfresh
Day
1 4 7 12
Delta E
0
2
4
6
8
10B. L. setiferus
A. F. aztecus
a
b
c
d
a
b
cc
46
2.3.4. Texture
In order to test if melanosis treatment had an effect on texture over time, hardness, resilience,
chewiness, and springiness were measured. For both L. setiferus and F. aztecus, there were no
significant changes in hardness based on treatment (p > 0.05). For L. setiferus, the hardness
significantly increased over time (p < 0.001), but there was no significant change in hardness of
F. aztecus over time (p > 0.05) (Fig. 2.10). In L. setiferus, significant changes due to time were
observed between day 1 and day 12; day 1 was significantly the lowest, while day 12 was the
highest, (p < 0.001). The difference of time effect between L. setiferus and F. aztecus may be due
to the internal composition of two species.
For both L. setiferus and F. aztecus, there was no significant change in resilience based on
treatment (p > 0.05). However, there was significant changes in resilience (p < 0.001) over time.
For both L. setiferus and F. aztecus, significant changes were found (p < 0.001) from day 1 with
day, 4, 7 and 12 where day 1 was significantly lowest and day 12 was highest (Fig. 2.11).
47
Fig. 2.10. Hardness trends in L. setiferus and F. aztecus. Error bars represent SD, and letters
indicate statistical significance by day.
Hard
ness (
g)
100
200
300
400
500
600
Control
Sulfite
Everfresh
Prawnfresh
Day
1 4 7 12
Hard
ness (
g)
100
200
300
400
500
600 B. F. aztecus
A. L. setiferus
a
ab ab
b
48
Fig. 2.11. Resilience trends in L. setiferus and F. aztecus. Error bars represent SD, and letters
indicate statistical significance by day.
Re
sili
en
ce
(%
)
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Control
Sulfite
Everfresh
Prawnfresh
Day
1 4 7 12
Re
sili
en
ce
(%
)
20
25
30
35
40
45
50 B. F. aztecus
A. L. setiferus
a
b b b
a
b
bc c
49
Springiness of both L. setiferus and F. aztecus significantly decreased over time (L. setiferus, p =
0.001 and F. aztecus, p < 0.001). In L. setiferus compared to day 1, springiness significantly
decreased on days 7 (p = 0.004) and 12 (p = 0.001) whereas day 1 was the highest and day 12 was
the lowest. In F. aztecus, compared to day 1, springiness on days 12 significantly decreased (p =
0.001) and compared to day 4, springiness on days 12 significantly decreased (p = 0.01) whereas
day 1 was the highest and day 12 was the lowest. There were no significant changes in springiness
of L. setiferus (p > 0.05) based on treatment. However, in F. aztecus, there were significant changes
in springiness (p = 0.02) based on treatment. Significant changes (p = 0.01) were found between
Everfresh and sulfite treated shrimp. Springiness of Sulfite-treated shrimp significantly decreased
(day 12: 63.6 ± 2.54 for Sulfite and 75.4 ± 6.8 for Everfresh) compare to Everfresh treated shrimp
(p = 0.001) (Fig. 2.12). For both types of shrimp, there was no significant interaction between
treatment and day (p > 0.05). Springiness actually indicates the muscle elasticity whereas it can be
stretched and is still able to returns to its original shape (Zhang et al., 2015). The current research
indicates that shrimp muscle becomes less elastic over time, and Sulfite-treated shrimp’s elasticity
reduced less compare to the Everfresh treatment. However, this was not seen uniformly across
species and days. The different findings of treatment effect on L. setiferus and F. aztecus may also
be due internal body composition of two different species.
50
Fig. 2.12. Springiness trends in L. setiferus and F. aztecus. Error bars represent SD, and letters
indicate statistical significance by day.
Sp
rin
gin
ess (
%)
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75Control
Sulfite
Everfresh
Prawnfresh
Day
1 4 7 12
Sp
rin
gin
ess (
%)
40
50
60
70
80
90
100 B. F. aztecus
A. L. setiferus
a a
b b
a a
abb
51
For both L. setiferus and F. aztecus, there was no significant change of chewiness based on
treatment (p > 0.05). However, in L. setiferus, there were significant changes of chewiness (p =
0.004) over time between day 1 and day 12 where day 1 was significantly lower (66.87 ± 6.5 in
day 1 and 119.51 ± 15.5 in day 12) than day 12 (Fig. 2.13). On the other hand, there was no
significant changes in chewiness of F. aztecus (p > 0.05) based on time. For both types of shrimp,
there was no significant interaction between treatment and day (p > 0.05).
52
Fig. 2.13. Chewiness trends in L. setiferus and F. aztecus. Error bars represent SD, and letters
indicate statistical significance by day.
In previous studies, the effects of slurry ice and flake ice with storage time on springiness and
chewiness of shrimp were studied (Zhang et al., 2015). Both springiness and chewiness decreased
with storage time. In the current study, treated shrimp were kept at 4°C on crushed ice. The current
results were similar with springiness, but not with chewiness. The changes of springiness may be
53
due to the autolytic enzyme activity (ATPase, cathepsins) breaking down connective tissue and
hydrolyzing myofibrillar protein (Godiksen et al., 2009). However, the hardness of pink shrimp
increased over 4 days during storage at flake ice similar to current results (Huidobro et al., 2002).
2.4 Conclusions
To see if melanosis prevention treatments (sulfite, Everfresh and Prawnfresh) had an effect on
quality in Louisiana or Bangladesh shrimp, proximate composition, total plate count of bacteria,
color and texture were studied. There was no significant effect of treatment on proximate
composition, bacterial count or color of shrimp. However, there was a significant difference in
proximate composition and bacterial counts among species. For color and texture, significant
changes were observed with time. Shrimp color changed with time, L* value was higher in 12 days
for both L. setiferus and F. aztecus. But a* and b* value decreased in L. setiferus and increased in
F. aztecus by day 12 compare to day 1. Treatment had an effect on springiness of shrimp, but it
did not have any effect on chewiness, hardness or resilience. Like color, time had an effect on
texture. Except for springiness, with time, hardness, resilience and chewiness increased. Overall,
there was no real effect of melanosis prevention treatment, and any of the compounds could be
used to prevent black spot without affecting color, texture, bacterial count, or proximate
composition.
2.5 References
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58
CHAPTER 3. THE PRESENCE OF SULFITE RESIDUE IN SHRIMP
3.1 Introduction
Shrimp is one of the world’s most popular shellfish as well as the most valuable farmed seafood
species with the highest trade value (Asche and Bjorndal, 2011). Black spot is a common visual
defect both in wild caught and cultured shrimp that affects marketability (Miget, 2010). Black spot,
or melanosis, is a quality defect in shrimp and other crustaceans characterized by a discoloration
or darkening of the shrimp shell (Otwell, 1992). The cause of black spot is polyphenol oxidase
enzymes (PPO), an endogenous enzyme complex (Andrade et al., 2015) where tyrosinase is the
main active enzyme (Huang et al., 2010). Polyphenol oxidase enzymes act as catalyst for the
hydroxylation from o-dihydroxyphenols to benzoquinones that react with different compounds
such as amino acids and oxygen and produce melanin (Gómez-Guillén et al., 2005). Black pigment
melanin accumulates under the carapace, mostly in the cephalothorax, cuticle segment, joint of
cuticle and pleopod and finally uropod and telson (Montero et al., 2001; Nirmal and Benjakul,
2011; Nirmal and Benjakul, 2012).
Black spot gives an unappetizing appearance in shrimp, but it is not harmful for human health
(Alday-Sanz, 2010, Gonçalves and de Oliveira, 2016). Black spot negatively affects aesthetic as
well as commercial value (Gómez-Guillén et al., 2005) and can result in a significant financial loss
due to consumer rejection (Nirmal and Benjakul, 2009). Most countries have a set allowance for
the presence of blackspot for domestic and imported product. In the processing plants of
Bangladesh, only 2 to 3 % black spot in shrimp is allowed; shrimp over the 2 to 3 % is discarded,
and that shrimp is sold at very low prices outside of the main market (Nowsad, 2007).
59
Different factors influence melanosis, such as species (level of substrate and enzyme), sex,
handling during harvesting and storage, season (period of molting), high temperature, pH of the
muscle (PPO is active in alkaline conditions), amount of free tyrosine (more free tyrosine indicates
more melanosis development), presence of oxygen and copper (copper is a part of the PPO
reaction), and geographical origin (Gonçalves and de Oliveira, 2016). Controlling those factors
can be useful for the prevention of black spot. For example, after harvesting, shrimp are cooled by
refrigeration which slows, but does not stop, the melanosis process (Martı´nez-Alvarez et al.,
2007).
During frozen storage the melanosis reaction stops due to enzyme inactivity, but the reaction starts
after thawing (Rotllant et al., 2002, Gonçalves and de Oliveira, 2016). Browning inhibitor can be
used for melanosis control, but the use of a browning inhibitor is restricted in food processing due
to toxicity, quality, changes of texture, taste, flavor, and cost (Gonçalves and de Oliveira, 2016).
Cooking procedures can inhibit the melanosis procedure by inactivating the enzyme (Manheem et
al., 2012). Boiling shrimp for 2 min is sufficient to inactivate PPO (Martı´nez-Alvarez et al., 2009),
but this is not an option for raw shrimp buyers. Black spot of Penaeus japonicus can be
successfully controlled by high pressure treatment, but commercially it is not used (Montero et al.,
2001). Slurry ice with an antimelanostic agent (Aubourg et al., 2007), 4-hexylresorcinol (McEvily
et al., 1991; Lopez-Caballero et al., 2006) and modified atmosphere packaging (Bono et al., 2012)
are also used and effective for melanosis treatment.
Sodium sulfites (NaHSO3) or sodium meta-bisulfites (Na2S2O5) are the most widely used inorganic
chemicals effective for melanosis control in crustaceans (Lopez-Caballero et al., 2006; Nirmal and
Benjakul, 2009; Miget, 2010; Bono et al., 2012). Sulfite was first used on shrimp for inhibition of
60
melanosis in 1950 (Fieger, 1951). Although sulfites are very effective in preventing black spot,
metabisulfite can trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions (Collins-Williams, 1983), and for
hypersensitive asthmatics patients, small amount of sulfite can create life threatening conditions
(Miget, 2010). Even contact with sulfites (i.e. during treatment of the shrimp) can be problematic.
Sulfites contacting soft tissue also initiate severe problems such as breathing problem, cyanosis
and sometimes death (Atkinson et al., 1994). Exposure of topical sulfites can cause dermatitis in
adults (Vally et al., 2009).
For controlling this food safety hazard, the labels on packaged shrimp must include a statement
about the presence of sulfites as required by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2001).
The label is mandatory if sulfite residue is more than 10 ppm in shrimp (detectable limit) (Rottlant
et al., 2002). The FDA has established a regulatory limit of 100 ppm for sulfite residue on shrimp
(domestic and imported) (FDA, 2001). The legal limit varies among countries; In Spain, they are
following European regulation where sulfite residue limit is 150 ppm (Rottlant et al., 2002), and
in Australia the limit is 30 ppm (Diei, 1998).
However, sulfite residue that exceeds acceptable limits does occur in shrimp flesh (Hardisson et
al., 2002). This can occur when fisherman use to high of sulfite concentrations or longer immersion
time (Cintra et al., 1999). Sulfite dips are a popular melanosis prevention step in Louisiana, US
and Bangladesh. The goal of this research was to determine the presence of Sulfite residue in the
edible portion (flesh) of shrimp found in Louisiana, USA, and Bangladesh, including domestic and
imported product.
61
3.2 Methods
3.2.1 Sources of shrimp
Three groups of shrimp were used for sulfite residue testing: positive control shrimp (from
Louisiana and Bangladesh) (Table 3.1), unknown test local shrimp available for purchase
(Louisiana and Bangladesh) (Table 3.2), and imported shrimp available for purchase in Louisiana
(Table 3.3). After being transported to the laboratory, shrimp were stored at -20°C until analyzed.
From every source or replicate, 10 shrimp were randomly selected for testing.
Table 3.1. Source and condition of shrimp used as the positive control in Louisiana and Bangladesh
The positive control shrimp included wild caught white shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus) and brown
shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus) from Louisiana and cultured giant freshwater prawn
(Macrobrachium rosenbergii) and Asian tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) from Bangladesh. All
of the positive control shrimp were free of post-harvest dips and purchased directly from the
fisherman, dock or processor during fall 2015, winter 2016, spring 2017 and fall 2017. Three
White shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus)
Replicate Date Source Condition
1 Fall 2015 Dulac, LA Fresh on Ice
2 Fall 2015 Montegut, LA Frozen on ice
3 Fall 2015 Montegut, LA Frozen on ice
Brown shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus)
1 Summer 2016 Dulac, LA Fresh on Ice
2 Summer 2016 Dulac, LA Fresh on Ice
3 Summer 2016 Dulac, LA Fresh on Ice
Giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)
1 Fall 2017 Mongla, Khulna, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
2 Fall 2017 Mongla, Khulna, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
3 Fall 2017 Mongla, Khulna, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
Asian tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon)
1 Fall 2017 Mongla, Khulna, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
2 Fall 2017 Mongla, Khulna, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
3 Fall 2017 Mongla, Khulna, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
62
separate replicates of L. setiferus, F. aztecus, M. rosenbergii, and P. monodon were treated and
tested (Table 3.1).
In Louisiana and Bangladesh, test shrimp were collected with no known information on sulfite
treatment. In Louisiana, shrimp (L. setiferus (n=7) and F. aztecus (n=3)) were collected from
docks and processors with unknown melanosis-prevention treatment (Table 3.2). In Bangladesh,
four species of shrimp (P. monodon, M. rosenbergii, Macrobrachium villosimanus, and
Macrobrachium malcomsonii; n=3 each) were collected from the fish markets in Gazipur,
Bangladesh (Table 3.2). It was unknown if any of these shrimp had been treated with sulfite or
another melanosis prevention compound.
Table 3.2. Source and condition of Louisiana and Bangladeshi shrimp tested for sulfite residue
(Table continued)
White shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus)
Replicate Date Source Condition
1 Fall 2016 Intracoastal City, LA Frozen
2 Fall 2016 Intracoastal City, LA Frozen
3 Fall 2016 Intracoastal City, LA Frozen
4 Fall 2017 Theriot, LA Fresh on Ice
5 Fall 2017 Cypremort Point, LA Fresh on Ice
6 Fall 2017 Delcambre, LA Fresh on Ice
7 Fall 2017 Bayou Dularge, LA Fresh on Ice
Brown shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus)
1 Fall 2016 Delcambre, LA Frozen
2 Fall 2016 Delcambre, LA Frozen
3 Fall 2016 Delcambre, LA Frozen
63
Table 3.3. Source and condition of imported shrimp purchased in Baton Rouge, Louisiana used for
testing sulfite residue
Notes: *Product type codes: P= peeled; TO=tail off, T=tail on; S=shell on, D=Deveined, EZ=EZ peel, R=
raw, C=cooked. **Processed in USA. (Table continued)
Giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)
1 Fall 2017 Chowrasta fish market, Gazipur, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
2 Fall 2017 BIDC fish market, Gazipur, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
3 Fall 2017 Shimultoli fish market, Gazipur, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
Asian tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon)
1 Fall 2017 Chowrasta fish market, Gazipur, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
2 Fall 2017 BIDC fish market, Gazipur, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
3 Fall 2017 Shimultoli fish market, Gazipur, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
Dimua river prawn (Macrobrachium villosimanus)
1 Fall 2017 Chowrasta fish market, Gazipur, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
2 Fall 2017 Chowrasta fish market, Gazipur, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
3 Fall 2017 Chowrasta fish market, Gazipur, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
Monsoon river prawn (Macrobrachium malcomsonii)
1 Fall 2017 Chowrasta fish market, Gazipur, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
2 Fall 2017 Chowrasta fish market, Gazipur, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
3 Fall 2017 Chowrasta fish market, Gazipur, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
Sample Date Purchased Product Type* Source Origin
1. Spring 2017 R, EZ, T Walmart Thailand
2. Spring 2017 R, EZ, T Walmart Thailand
3. Spring 2017 R, EZ, T Walmart India
4. Spring 2017 R, S, EZ, T Walmart Thailand**
5. Spring 2017 R, P, D, T Walmart India
6. Spring 2017 R, S, EZ, T Walmart Indonesia
7. Spring 2017 R, S, EZ, T Walmart India
8. Spring 2017 R, S, EZ, T Walmart Thailand
9. Spring 2017 R, S, EZ, T Walmart Thailand
10. Spring 2017 R, P, D, TO Walmart Thailand
11. Spring 2017 R, P, D, T Walmart India
12. Spring 2017 R Albertson Indonesia
13. Spring 2017 R Albertson Thailand
14. Spring 2017 R Albertson Indonesia
15. Spring 2017 R Albertson India
16. Spring 2017 R, P, D Albertson India
17. Spring 2017 R, T, S Albertson Thailand
18. Spring 2017 R Winn Dixie Ecuador
64
Notes: *Product type codes: P= peeled; TO=tail off, T=tail on; S=shell on, D=Deveined, EZ=EZ peel,
R= raw, C=cooked. **Processed in USA.
19. Spring 2017 R, T, S Winn Dixie India
20. Spring 2017 R, S, EZ, T Winn Dixie Vietnam
21. Spring 2017 R, S, EZ, T Winn Dixie Vietnam
22. Spring 2017 R, S, EZ, T Winn Dixie India
23. Spring 2017 R, P, D, TO Winn Dixie Thailand
24. Spring 2017 R, P, D, TO Winn Dixie India
25. Spring 2017 R, P, D, TO Winn Dixie India
26. Spring 2017 R, P, D, TO Winn Dixie Vietnam
27. Spring 2017 R, P, TO Winn Dixie Thailand
28. Spring 2017 R, P, D, TO Winn Dixie India
29. Spring 2017 R, T, S Winn Dixie Thailand
30. Spring 2017 R Winn Dixie Thailand
31. Spring 2017 C, P, D, T Walmart Indonesia
32. Spring 2017 C, P, D, T Walmart China
33. Spring 2017 C, P, D, T Walmart China
34. Spring 2017 C, P, D, T Walmart Vietnam
35. Spring 2017 R, T, S Walmart Indonesia
36. Spring 2017 R, P, D, TO Walmart Vietnam
37. Spring 2017 R, P, D, TO Walmart Vietnam
38. Spring 2017 R, P, D, TO Target India
39. Spring 2017 R, T, S Albertson China
40. Spring 2017 R, P, TO Albertson Thailand
41. Winter 2016 P, TO Albertson Thailand
42. Winter 2016 P, TO Albertson Thailand
43. Winter 2016 P, D, TO Winn-Dixie Thailand
44. Winter 2016 EZ, S Winn-Dixie Vietnam
45. Winter 2016 P, D, TO Walmart Vietnam
46. Winter 2016 P, D, T Walmart Vietnam
47. Winter 2016 T & S Albertson China
48. Winter 2016 P, D, T Walmart China**
49. Winter 2016 EZ, S, T Target India
50. Winter 2016 P, D, T Walmart India**
51. Winter 2016 S, T Walmart Indonesia
65
Imported shrimp (n=51 separate samples) were purchased from retail stores in Baton Rouge, LA
in winter 2016 and spring 2017 (Table 3.3). Some shrimp products were processed in the US, but
the shrimp all originated from other countries. During purchase of imported shrimp, the package
was checked for sulfite label, either in the ingredients or listed under contains. None of the
packages had any mention of sulfite; none were labeled as sulfite treated or free of sulfite.
3.2.2 Sulfite residue testing:
The experiment was performed in the School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State
University (LSU), USA (Louisiana control, Louisiana unknowns, and imported samples) or the
Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural
University (BSMRAU), Bangladesh (Bangladesh controls and Bangladesh unknowns). For
positive control shrimp, the residue sulfite level in shrimp treated under manufacturer
recommendations was determined by adding 136.078 g Sulfite (sodium metabisulfite, NF/Food
and Photographic grade, Esseco, USA) with 11.36 l of ambient DI water (19°C) at 5 ppt (Instant
Ocean, pH was 6.9). Shrimp were dipped for 60 s. Three replicates of each of the four control
species were treated (n=12 positive control samples).
To determine residue sulfite levels, the Alert Sulfite detection kit (Neogen Corporation product
9500) was used. This method is correlated with Monier-Williams AOAC (AOAC 1984)
International official method. Ten shrimp were taken from each replicate or sample. Frozen shrimp
was thawed at 4°C before starting experiment. The head and shell of the shrimp were removed.
Then, one drop of the activator solution was applied to the less pigmented area (whiter thorax area
next to where the head was removed) of the shrimp. Next, one drop dye reagent was added to the
moistened meat. After one min., the color change was observed (Figure 3.1). If the blue dye does
66
not change color, this indicates shrimp were not treated with sulfite or had sulfite levels below 10
ppm (detection limit). If the blue dye turns violet, it means shrimp were treated with sulfite, but
the sulfite level does not exceed 100 ppm (0-100 ppm). If no color remains from the dye, sulfite
level exceeds 100 ppm (>100 ppm). Often a blue-violet color was observed and noted, indicating
over 10 ppm, but still very low levels of residue. The three color observations were assigned a
score of 1-3 (1=0-10 ppm and 3>100 ppm; Table 3.4). If any of the 10 individual replicate shrimp
were not the same score, the scores were averaged.
Table 3.4. Color scale for Sulfite residue
3.2.3 Statistical Analysis
A two-way ANOVA was used to test for significant difference in sulfite residue among USA
shrimp, Bangladesh shrimp and imported shrimp species and treatment as well as interactions
(Sigma Plot 14). P < 0.05 was set to indicate statistical significance. All results are reported in
mean score ± SD.
Color (Score) Blue/ No color change (1)
Violet
(2) Colorless/ white (3)
Sulfite
Residue
Level (ppm)
<10 10-100 > 100ppm
67
Fig. 3.1. Sulfite residue testing. After applying dye reagent, color was checked with
protocol picture that came with ALERT Sulfite test kit. Here shrimp shown violet color and score
was noted as 2. Credit: M. Khan.
3.3 Results and Discussion
In order to determine if shrimp available for purchase in Louisiana and Bangladesh were below
the legal sulfite residue limit, 120 positive control shrimp, 100 unknown Louisiana shrimp, 120
unknown Bangladesh shrimp, and 510 imported shrimp were tested.
Positive controls, L. setiferus and F. aztecus had acceptable levels of sulfite residue (1.53 ± 0.5 for
L. setiferus and 1.56 ± 0.5 for F. aztecus). Of the positive controls, 53.33% of L. setiferus and
56.57% of F. aztecus had a score of 2 (Fig. 3.2). For the unknown Louisiana shrimp, all had
acceptable level of sulfite residue (L. setiferus: 1.17 ± 0.3 and F. aztecus: 1.23 ± 0.4) (Fig. 3.2).
No individual shrimp had a score of 3 (>100 ppm). The control shrimp contained higher sulfite
residue than purchased unknown shrimp. This result might be because the control shrimp were
tested just after treatment or less of the unknown shrimp were treated with sulfites. For L. setiferus,
12 shrimp sample out of 70 unknown samples (17.1%) had more than 10 ppm Sulfite residue. Both
frozen and fresh on ice L. setiferus were tested, and 23.3% of frozen and 12.5% of fresh on ice L.
68
setiferus contained more than 10 ppm sulfite residue. For F. aztecus, only frozen shrimp were used,
and 23.3% of frozen shrimp (7 out of 30 sample) had more than 10 ppm of sulfite. Although control
shrimp had a slightly higher residue, it was not significant (p > 0.05). There was also no difference
in sulfite residue between species with the control shrimp.
Shrimp Source
Su
lfite R
esid
ue (
Score
)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
L. setiferus Control L. setiferus Unknown F.aztecus Control F.aztecus Unknown
Fig. 3.2. Louisiana local shrimp sulfite residue levels. Mean of sulfite residue on a score of 1-3
with 1≤10 ppm, 2 = 10-100ppm, and 3≥100ppm. (Error bars = S.D.). The n’s for each of the
controls =30, n=70 for the L. setiferus unknowns, and n=30 for the F. aztecus unknowns.
69
For Bangladesh shrimp, the positive control M. rosenbergii and P. monodon had acceptable sulfite
residue levels (1.3 ± 0.4). Of all the controls, 33.3 % of had a score of 2. Unknown local shrimp
purchased in Bangladesh had also acceptable levels of sulfite residue (M. rosenbergii: 1.1 ± 0.3;
P. monodon: 1.2 ± 0.4; M. villosimanus: 1.2 ± 0.4 and M. malcomsonii:1.1 ± 0.3) (Fig. 3.3). The
control shrimp contained slightly higher sulfite residue than unknowns, but it was not significant
(p > 0.05). For the unknown local shrimp, only three M. rosenbergii shrimp were positive for
sulfite. Replicates 1 and 2 did not test positive for sulfite residue over 10 ppm; every shrimp score
was 1. Only 3 sample from replicate 3 scored a 2. P. monodon had an average score of 1.2 ± 0.41
(Fig. 3.3). There was no significant difference in sulfite residue between control and unknown
Bangladesh shrimp or the species (p > 0.05).
For the imported shrimp samples, 51 different samples from 6 different countries were tested for
a total of 510 shrimp. With the exception of Ecuador, each country had shrimp that had sulfite
residue between 10-100 ppm. Ecuador had the lowest (1.0 ± 0.0) score, and Indonesia had the
highest sulfite residue score (1.6 ± 0.4). However, no package of imported shrimp included sulfite
in the label. Sulfite is required to be included on the label if sulfite residue is more than 10 ppm in
shrimp (Rottlant et al., 2002).
70
Fig. 3.3. Bangladesh Shrimp Sulfite Residue. Mean of Sulfite residue on a score of 1-3 (Error
bars = S.D.). The n=30 for each group.
According to the FDA (2001), the guidelines for fish and fishery products are: i) finished product
should contain a declaration about using Sulfite agent, ii) should not contain detectable levels of
sulfite, iii) incoming fishery products must contain a supplier certificate about not using sulfite, or
iv) raw materials containing sulfite must contain sulfite use information or certificate. Here, it is
obvious that importing countries did not adhere to the regulation, and this type of regulation
violation can have severe effects on human health. For hypersensitive asthmatics patient small
amount of sulfite can create life threatening conditions (Miget, 2010).
Shrimp Source
Su
lfite
Re
sid
ue
(S
co
re)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
M. rosenbergii C
M. rosenbergii U
k
P. monodon C
M. villo
simanus U
k
P. monodon U
k
M. malcomsonii U
k
71
Of the China shrimp samples (both raw and cooked), 52 % were positive for sulfite residue (score:
1.52 ± 0.5). Of these, 13 samples were cooked, and this could be more of a concern for consumers
as there is less opportunity for the sulfite residue to dilute during cooking and handling. Of the
shrimp samples from India, 22.14 % were positive for sulfite residue (score: 1.22 ± 0.4). All the
samples from India were raw. One sample from each India, Thailand, and China were processed
in the USA, and two of those (India and China) were below the detectable limit for sulfite. The
Thailand shrimp sample processed in the US tested positive for sulfite residue, but sulfite was not
included on the label. Indonesian shrimp samples were raw (n=50) and cooked (n=10), and 60%
tested positive for > 10 ppm sulfite, and these shrimp had the highest average score (1.6 ± 0.4)
(Fig. 3.4). Twenty-five percent of the Indonesian shrimp samples positive for sulfite were cooked.
Sulfite residue in cooked shrimp is more threatening than present in raw shrimp as raw shrimp are
further washed and processed. For Thailand shrimp samples (all raw), 53% were positive for sulfite
residue >10 ppm (score: 1.53 ± 0.5). One shrimp in the Thailand samples tested positive for >100
ppm. However, additional shrimp from that sample were run, and no other single shrimp tested
positive for sulfite residue >100 ppm. Forty-nine percent of Vietnam shrimp samples (score: 1.48
± 0.5) were positive for sulfite residue >10 ppm, which included raw and cooked samples.
72
Fig. 3.4. Sulfite Residue in shrimp imported into the United States. Mean of Sulfite residue on a
score of 1-3 (Error bars = S.D.). The n’s of shrimp samples tested for each country are China= 5,
Ecuador=1, India = 14, Indonesia=6, Thailand= 16, and Vietnam=9.
Shrimp Source
Su
lfite
Re
sid
ue
(S
co
re)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
China Ecuador India VietnamIndonesia Thailand
73
Fig. 3.5. Farm raised shrimp from India. This package shrimp was positive for sulfite (more
than 10 ppm) but sulfite was not included in ingredient list. Credit: J. Lively.
Hardisson et al. (2002) found the Sulfite content in the edible portion of frozen prawn of Spain
and shrimp of Venezuela ranged from 12.8 to 546 ppm and 10.7 to 380.7 ppm, respectively. The
lower ranges are similar to the current results, however only one shrimp of Thailand exceeded the
limit of 100 ppm. Sulfite levels in shrimp from Spain had excessive level between 182 to 579
ppm (Steinhart at al., 1995). The Louisiana, imported, and Bangladesh shrimp samples in this
project all tested much lower than some previous studies (585.79 ppm and 182–572 ppm) (Rio
Utrabo et al., 1994; Armentia et al., 1994). The positive control results in the current study were
similar to previous results. Following manufacturer recommendations for concentration, a 2 to 5
% sodium meta-bisulfite solution with 20 to 30 min immersion time resulted in a maximum sulfite
concentration around 67.62 ppm (Andrade at al., 2015).
Besides initial treatment, storage of the shrimp could also affect residue sulfite levels. In ice
storage, sulfite residue level is lower due to the leaching with ice water as sulfite is soluble in water
(Finne et al., 1986, Cintra et al., 1999, Gómez-Guillén et al., 2005). Cintra et al. (1999) reported
that sulfite residue was high (around 138 ppm) just a few hours after shrimp were caught and
treated. However, in iced storage, sulfite residue reduced to 104 ppm after 24 hours and down to
74
79 ppm after 48 hours. Another study found that concentrations were reduced 50 % after 2 days
of ice storage (Finne et al.,1986). Shrimp purchased from Bangladesh and some from Louisiana
were on ice so that icing may have reduced the Sulfite residue. Additionally, all imported shrimp
were frozen. It was reported that, during freezing and in frozen storage, residual Sulfite level
decreased by 17 % (Finne et al., 1986).
For the imported shrimp, one shrimp contained more than 100 ppm, 43.5% of shrimp contained
10 ppm to 100 ppm, and 56.3% of shrimp contained less than 10 ppm of sulfite residue. Most
shrimp had the blue/ violet observed color change indicating they were closer to 10 ppm than the
limit of 100 ppm. Additionally, crustaceans washed before storage had lower sulfite residual levels
(Gonçalves & de Oliveira, 2016). Imported shrimp were industrially processed, and this could be
a reason of getting lower sulfite residues in imported shrimp. Goncalves and de Olivera (2016)
reported that, storage time may also reduce sulfite residue. Additionally, unpeeled or shell-on
shrimp contain higher Sulfite content compare to peeled shrimp (Finne et al., 1986), and in the
current experiment, only the muscle tissue was tested.
In this experiment, shrimp were purchased from retailers without knowing if they were treated or
with what compound (i.e. metabisulfite dip or a 4-Hexylresorcinol) to prevent black spot. Many
did test positive for sulfite residuals indicating they had been treated with sulfite, but none were
over the limit. Some of the imported shrimp did not test above 10 ppm, so this could be due to
low treatment dose, short immersion time, storage, rinsing, or time on ice in the process. It is
possible that some of these shrimp that tested > 10 ppm may have been between 10 -100 ppm when
they first entered the supply chain, but all would still test safe for consumption (for those without
a Sulfite-triggered health condition), but none of these products included sulfite on the label.
75
3.4 Conclusions
Locally available shrimp including local Louisiana shrimp, local Bangladesh shrimp, and locally
bought imported shrimp, were tested for sulfite residue. Except one, all shrimp had acceptable
levels of sulfite residue (< 100ppm). It was found that 19 % of Louisiana shrimp, 15 % of
Bangladesh shrimp and 43 % imported shrimp contained 10 to 100 ppm of sulfite. While safe for
consumption according to FDA regulations, there is still concern that none of the imported shrimp
products included sulfite on their label.
3.5 References
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Andrade, L. T. d., Araújo, N. G., Ventura, A. P. M., Lira, A. d. L., Magnani, M., and
Cavalheiro, J. M. d. O. (2015). Standardization of sodium metabisulfite solution
concentrations and immersion time for farmed shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Ciência
Rural, 45(3), 499-504.
Association of Official Analytical Chemists. (1984). Official Method of Analysis,
Washington, DC.
Armentia-Alvarez, A., Garcia-Moreno, C., and Jesus Pena-Egido, M. (1994). Residual Levels
of Sulfite in Raw and Boiled Frozen Shrimp: Variability, Distribution and Losses.
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Asche, F., and Bjorndal, T. (2011). The economics of salmon aquaculture (Vol. 10). John
Wiley & Sons.
Atkinson, D. A., Sim, T. C., and Grant, J. A. (1993). Sodium metabisulfite and SO2 release:
an under-recognized hazard among shrimp fishermen. Annals of Allergy, 71(6), 563-
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Aubourg, S. P., Losada, V., Prado, M., Miranda, J. M., and Barros-Velázquez, J. (2007).
Improvement of the commercial quality of chilled Norway lobster (Nephrops
norvegicus) stored in slurry ice: Effects of a preliminary treatment with an
antimelanostic agent on enzymatic browning. Food Chemistry, 103(3), 741-748.
Bono, G., Badalucco, C. V., Cusumano, S., and Palmegiano, G. B. (2012). Toward shrimp
without chemical additives: A combined freezing-MAP approach. LWT - Food
Science and Technology, 46(1), 274-279.
Cintra, I. H. A., Ogawa, N. B. P., Souza-, M. R., Diniz, F. M., & Ogawa, M. (1999).
Decomposition of trimethylamine oxide related to the use of sulfites in shrimp. Food
Science and Technology, 19, 314-317.
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Collins-Williams, C. (1983). Intolerance to additives. Annals of Allergy, 51(2 Pt 2), 315.
Diei Y. (1998). Contributions a` la pre´ vention de la melanose des crevettes congele´ es en
Coˆ te d’Ivoire. FAO Fisheries Report 574: 203–205.
Fieger, E. (1951). Cause and prevention of blackspot on shrimp. Ice Refrigeration, 120(4).
Finne, G., Wagner, T., Dewitt, Bernard., and Martin, R. (1986). Effect of treatment, ice
storage and freezing on residual sulfite in shrimp. Journal of Food Science, 51(1), 231-
232.
Gómez-Guillén, M. C., Martínez-Alvarez, Ó., Llamas, A., and Montero, P. (2005). Melanosis
inhibition and SO2residual levels in shrimps (Parapenaeus longirostris) after different
sulfite-based treatments. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 85(7), 1143-
1148.
Gonçalves, A. A., and de Oliveira, A. R. M. (2016). Melanosis in crustaceans: A review.
LWT - Food Science and Technology, 65, 791-799.
Hardisson, A., Rubio, C., Frı́as, I., Rodrı́guez, I., and Reguera, J. I. (2002). Content of sulphite
in frozen prawns and shrimps. Food Control, 13(4), 275-279.
Huang, J., Yang, Y., and Wang, A. (2010). Reconsideration of phenoloxidase activity
determination in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Fish and Shellfish Immunology,
28(1), 240-244.
López-Caballero, M. E., Martínez-Álvarez, Ó., Gómez-Guillén, M. C., and Montero, P.
(2006). Quality of Norway lobster (Nephrops norwegicus) treated with a 4-
hexylresorcinol-based formulation. European Food Research and Technology, 222(3-
4), 425-431.
Manheem, K., Benjakul, S., Kijroongrojana, K., and Visessanguan, W. (2012). The effect of
heating conditions on polyphenol oxidase, proteases and melanosis in pre-cooked
Pacific white shrimp during refrigerated storage. Food Chemistry, 131(4), 1370-1375.
Martı´nez-Alvarez, O., López-Caballero, M. E., Montero, P., and Gómez-Guillén, M. C.
(2007). Spraying of 4-hexylresorcinol based formulations to prevent enzymatic
browning in Norway lobsters (Nephrops norvegicus) during chilled storage. Food
Chemistry, 100(1), 147-155.
Martínez-Alvarez, O., López-Caballero, M. E., Gómez-Guillén, M. C., and Montero, P.
(2009). The effect of several cooking treatments on subsequent chilled storage of
thawed deepwater pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) treated with different
melanosis-inhibiting formulas. LWT - Food Science and Technology, 42(8), 1335-
1344.
McEvily, A., Iyengar, R., and Otwell, W. (1991). 4-Hexylresorcinol controls enzymatic
browning in shrimp and has potential for application in a variety of other foods and
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Miget, R. (2010). Shellfish Handling Practices: Shrimp and Molluscs: Southern Regional
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Montero, P., Ávalos, A., and Pérez-Mateos, M. (2001). Characterization of polyphenoloxidase
of prawns (Penaeus japonicus). Alternatives to inhibition: additives and high-pressure
treatment. Food Chemistry, 75(3), 317-324.
Montero, P., Martinez-Alvarez, O., Zamorano, J., Alique, R., and Gómez-Guillén, M. d. C.
(2006). Melanosis inhibition and 4-hexylresorcinol residual levels in deepwater pink
shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) following various treatments. European Food
Research and Technology, 223(1), 16.
Nirmal, N. P., and Benjakul, S. (2009). Melanosis and quality changes of Pacific white shrimp
(Litopenaeus vannamei) treated with catechin during iced storage. Journal of
Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 57(9), 3578-3586.
Nirmal, N. P., and Benjakul, S. (2011). Inhibition of melanosis formation in Pacific white
shrimp by the extract of lead (Leucaena leucocephala) seed. Food Chemistry, 128(2),
427-432.
Nirmal, N. P., and Benjakul, S. (2012). Biochemical properties of polyphenoloxidase from the
cephalothorax of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). International Aquatic
Research, 4(6), 1-13.
Nowsad, AKM. A. (2007). Participatory Training of Trainers: A new approach applied in Fish
Processing, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Forum, 328 p.
Otwell, W. E. (1992, November). Use of sulfites and phosphates with shrimp. In Proceedings
of the 17th Annual Tropical and Subtropical Fisheries Technological Conference of
the Americas. Mexico (pp. 64-67).
Rıo Utrabo, M. J., Pena Rivas, L., Cuesta Bertomeu, I., and Gata Dıaz, J. A. (1994). Los
sulfitos, Aditivos de crustaceos. Alimentaria, 258, 31–35
Rotllant, G., Arnau, F., Garcia, J. A., Garcia, N., Rodriguez, M., and Sarda, F. (2002). Note.
Effect of Metabisulphite Treatments and Freezing on Melanosis Inhibition in Rose
Shrimp Aristeus antennatus (Risso, 1816). Food Science and Technology
International, 8(4), 243-247.
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U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2001). Food and Color Additives. Ch. 19. In Fish and
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Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 39(11), 1643-1651.
78
CHAPTER 4. DETERMINATION OF HARMFUL BACTERIA IN SHRIMP FROM
LOUISIANA AND BANGLADESH
4.1 Introduction
Illness due to the consumption of contaminated food is serious problem worldwide. Food borne
disease outbreaks from shrimp and fish are also well documented (Alday-Sanz, 2010). Some
bacteria are natural microflora in shrimp, seafood and aquatic environments, and some bacteria are
present in shrimp due to cross contamination during poor handling. In the United States (US),
around 60% of frozen shrimp, mostly imported, were contaminated by bacteria including
Salmonella, Listeria, Eshcherichia coli and Vibrio (Siegner, 2015). However, in the US, European
Union (EU), Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong that the legal limit for Salmonella, Listeria
monocytogenes, and Vibrio cholerae in 25 g of raw or cooked shrimp should be zero (Norhana et
al., 2010).
In the EU, after Campylobacter the main cause of food-borne disease is Salmonella (EFSA, 2011).
Salmonella is responsible for salmonellosis disease, and symptoms include diarrhea, nausea,
abdominal pain and vomiting (Ray and Bhunia, 2007). In January-June 2018, shrimp from
Bangladesh, India and Indonesia imported into the US were rejected due to the presence of
Salmonella spp. (FDA, 2018).
Vibrio spp. is natural microflora of aquatic environments, and the most important human pathogens
are V. cholerae, V. vulnificus, and V. parahaemolyticus (Gopal et al., 2005). The serotypes of V.
cholera O1 and O139 are responsible for causing cholera by producing enterotoxin (Gopal et al.,
2005). The symptoms of infection by V. parahaemolyticus include abdominal cramps, diarrhea,
79
headache, fever, and vomiting (Ray and Bhunia, 2007). People who eat raw seafood, especially
oyster, are more prone to encounter V. vulnificus (Alday-Sanz, 2010). The immune compromised
patients can be killed by a V. vulnificus infection (Harwood et al., 2004).
L. monocytogenes has been recognized as human pathogen since 1929, and it is responsible for
listeriosis (Embarek, 1994; McLauchlin et al., 2004). Outbreaks of listeriosis occur due to
consumption of animal-based foods, especially mussels, shrimp, and undercooked seafood
(Norhana et al., 2010), and this species is isolated frequently from different fishery products
worldwide (Pariher et al., 2008). Shrimp have been recalled from market due to the presence of L.
monocytogenes (Norhana et al., 2010).
E. coli is an indicator of fecal contamination and causes health problems like diarrhea, kidney and
bladder infections, dysentery, and haemolytic uremic syndrome depending on the strains (Ray and
Bhunia, 2007). There are six types of diarrheagenic E coli: enterotoxigenic (ETEC), enteroinvasive
(EIEC), enteroaggregative (EAEC), diffusely adherent (DAEC), enteropathogenic (EPEC ) and
producing Shiga toxin (STEC) E.coli (Costa, 2013). In 2004, Nevada, US, enterotoxigenic E.coli
outbreak occurred due to consumption of butterfly shrimp in a sushi restaurant, and the cause was
poor handling and infected people (Jain et al., 2008). E. coli O157:H7 was found in shrimp
Fenneropenaeus indicus which was also due to unhygienic handling practice (Surendraraj et al.,
2010).
For maintaining food safety, disease-causing bacteria should be absent. The goal of this project
was to test for the presence of the common food borne disease bacteria including Salmonella, L.
monocytogenes, Vibrio spp. and E. coli in shrimp of USA and Bangladesh.
80
4.2 Methods
4.2.1 Sources of Shrimp
In Louisiana, shrimp were collected from docks and processors in coastal Louisiana. Three
replicates of fresh white shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus) were collected from Intracoastal City, LA
in fall 2016. Three replicates of frozen brown shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus) were collected
from a processor in Delcambre, LA in fall 2016. In Bangladesh, three replicates of iced freshwater
prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) and three replicates of iced Asian tiger shrimp (Penaeus
monodon) were collected from Gazipur fish market in fall 2017.
Table 4.1. Source and condition of Louisiana and Bangladesh shrimp used for harmful bacteria
determination
In Louisiana, frozen shrimp samples were transported on ice to the lab at Louisiana State
University in Baton Rouge, LA. In Bangladesh, iced shrimp sample were transported to the
Species Date and
Replicate
Source Condition
White shrimp
(Litopenaeus
setiferus)
Fall 2016 A Intracoastal City, LA Frozen on board
Fall 2016 B Intracoastal City, LA Frozen on board
Fall 2016 C Intracoastal City, LA Frozen on board
Brown shrimp
(Farfantepena
eus aztecus)
Fall 2016 A Delcambre, LA Frozen on board
Fall 2016 B Delcambre, LA Frozen on board
Fall 2016 C Delcambre, LA Frozen on board
Giant
freshwater
prawn
(Macrobrachi
um
rosenbergii)
Fall 2017 A Chowrasta fish market, Gazipur,
Bangladesh
Fresh on Ice
Fall 2017 B BIDC fish market, Gazipur, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
Fall 2017 C Shimultoli fish market, Gazipur,
Bangladesh
Fresh on Ice
Asian tiger
shrimp
(Penaeus
monodon)
Fall 2017 A Chowrasta fish market, Gazipur,
Bangladesh
Fresh on Ice
Fall 2017 B BIDC fish market, Gazipur, Bangladesh Fresh on Ice
Fall 2017 C Shimultoli fish market, Gazipur,
Bangladesh
Fresh on Ice
81
Fisheries Technology lab at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University,
Gazipur. After reaching the lab, shrimp were kept at -20°C until analysis. Frozen shrimp were
thawed within 12 hours at 2-5°C. From each replicate (n=12), 5 samples (each sample = 100 g)
were randomly selected for testing.
4.2.2 Isolation of Bacteria
4.2.2.1 Determination of Salmonella
Salmonella testing followed the standard Bacteriological Analytical Manual (Andrews et al.,
2000). Aseptically a 25 g shrimp sample was placed into a stomacher bag. Sterile 225 ml lactose
broth was added and blended for 2 min by stomacher. In Bangladesh, the sample was homogenized
using a sterile mortar and pestle instead of stomacher. The homogenized mixture was aseptically
transferred to sterile, wide-mouth laboratory bottle (500 ml) and kept for 60 ± 5 min at room
temperature. Shrimp sample solution was mixed well by swirling, and the pH was determined by
pH meter. The pH was adjusted to 6.8 ± 0.2. Then the bottle was placed in the incubator and
incubated for 24 ± 2 h at 35°C. After incubation, 0.1 ml mixture was added to 10 ml Rappaport-
Vassiliadis (RV) medium and vortexed. RV medium was incubated in a water bath at 42 ± 0.2°C
for 24 ± 2 h. After incubation, RV medium was vortexed, and a 3mm loopful of RV broth was
streaked on xylose lysine desoxycholate or XLD (Sigma) agar. Incubation of the XLD petridish
was done for 24 ± 2 h at 35°C. After incubation petri dishes were examined for presence of
salmonella colonies (pink colonies with or without black centers).
The susceptive colonies were streaked on nutrient agar to isolate a single colony or pure culture.
Incubation of the nutrient agar (NA) petridish was done for 24 ± 2 h at 35°C. The colonies from
the NA were inoculated in triple sugar iron agar (TSI (Himedia-M021) slants and streaked and
stabbed into lysine iron agar (LIA, Himedia-M377) slants and incubated at 35°C for 24 h. In TSI
82
slants, positive tests for Salmonella develop a red color in slants and yellow color in butt. In LIA
slants, Salmonella colonies develop a purple color. For confirmation test (see 4.2.4), a molecular
identification test was done. Molecular identification test was done by Polymerase Chain Reaction
(PCR). Pure cultures were kept in nutrient broth with 10% glycerol and stored at -20°C until
molecular identification.
4.2.2.2 Determination of Vibrio spp.
Vibrio determination followed the Bacteriological Analytical Manual, 2004 (Kaysner and Jr.,
2004). Aseptically, a 25 g shrimp sample was placed into a stomacher bag. Sterile 225 ml alkaline
peptone water was added and blended for 2 min. in a stomacher. In Bangladesh, samples were
homogenized using a sterile mortar and pestle instead of stomacher. The homogenized mixture
was placed in the incubator and incubated for 24 ± 2 h at 35°C. A 3 mm loopful from the surface
of the sample solution was streaked on Thiosulfate-citrate-bile salts-sucrose (TCBS) agar (Sigma).
Incubation of the TCBS petri dish was done for 18-24 h at 35°±2°C. After incubation, the petri
dishes were examined for the presence of Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio vulnificus colonies. On TCBS
agar, typical colonies of V. cholerae are smooth, yellow and large (2 to 3 mm), and V. vulnificus
colonies color are green.
4.2.2.3 Determination of Eshcherichia coli
Eshcherichia coli determination followed the petrifilm method (3M™ Petrifilm™ E. coli).
Aseptically, a 25 g shrimp sample was placed into a stomacher bag. Sterile phosphate buffered
saline (PBS) (225 ml) was added and blended for 2 min in a stomacher. In Bangladesh, samples
were homogenized using a sterile mortar and pestle instead of stomacher. The pH of the solution
was adjusted to 6.6-7.2 for the optimal growth and recovery of microorganisms. Solutions were
prepared up to 10-4 dilution. One ml diluted sample was placed on middle of the 3M petrifilm E.
83
coli coliform count plate. The lid of the film was closed, and the 3M petrifilm spreader was placed
on the petrifilm top over the inoculum to spread properly. After a minimum 1 min. wait for the gel
to solidify, the petrifilm was incubated at 36°C ± 2°C for 18-24 h. In petrifilm, after incubation,
blue colonies with gas indicate E. coli, and red and blue colonies with gas indicate total coliform.
4.2.2.4 Determination of Listeria monocytogenes
Listeria monocytogenes determination followed the Bacteriological Analytical Manual (Hitchins
et al., 2017). Aseptically, a 25 g sample was placed into a stomacher bag. Sterile UVM listeria
enrichment broth (225 ml) was added, blended for 2 min in a stomacher, and incubated at 30°C
for 2 days. In Bangladesh, the sample was homogenized using a sterile mortar and pestle instead
of stomacher. After incubation, 1 ml of enrichment broth was plated on oxford medium and
incubated at 37°C for 2 days. After incubation, the petri dishes were examined for presence of L.
monocytogenes colonies (black colonies).
4.2.3 Confirmation test
4.2.3.1 USA
For confirmation of Vibrio spp., further identification was done by oxidase test (Oxidase strip,
(Polyscience Inc) and API 20e (Biomeriux, ref. 20100). A loop was used to take an isolated colony
from the TCBS agar plate and placed directly on the test area surface of the oxidase test strip.
Color change to deep blue color was considered positive. For API 20e, a single isolated colony
was mixed with API 0.85% NaCl medium to make a homogenous bacterial suspension. Both tube
and cupule of CIT, VP and GEL were filled by bacterial suspension, and only tubes were filled
(not the cupule) for other tests. Anaerobic condition was created in ADH, LDH, H2S, ODC and
URE by overlaying mineral oil. The incubation tray was closed and incubated at 36°C ± 2°C for
84
18-24 h. After the incubation period, results were read by reference table. If 3 or more tests (GLU
test + or –) were positive, reactions were recorded on the result sheet. Then additional reagents
were added. One drop of TDA reagent showed reddish brown color for positive reaction, one drop
of JAMES reagent showed pink color in whole cupule for positive reaction, and one drop of VP1
and VP 2 reagents showed pink or red color for positive reaction. The values were recorded and
compared to the provided analytical profile index.
For the confirmation of Listeria monocytogenes API Listeria kit (Biomeriux, ref. 10300) was used
and given protocol was followed. Colonies were isolated on sheep blood agar before using the API
Listeria kit. A single isolated colony was mixed with 2 ml API suspension medium to make a
homogenous bacterial suspension, and turbidity was equivalent to McFarland 1 standard. The
bacterial suspension was distributed to all tubes. Both tube and cupule of DIM was filled by
bacterial suspension, and only tubes were filled (not the cupule) for other tests (from ESC to TAG).
The incubation tray was then closed, and incubated at 36°C ± 2°C for 18-24 h in aerobic condition.
After the incubation period, one drop of Zym B was poured on DIM test, and the result was read
by reference table. The numerical profile was compared to the analytical profile index provided
with API Listeria.
4.2.3.2 Bangladesh
Before confirmation tests, an oxidase test was performed. For the oxidase test, a full loop of
NNNN-tetraethyl-p-phenylene di-amine dihydrochloride (Research-lab) was added with 3 ml of
sterile distilled water. A sterile filter paper was placed in a petridish and wetted with few drops of
prepared solution. Then bacterial colonies were smeared on the moist paper by a platinum loop.
The dark blue color indicate colonies were oxidase positive, and a colorless appearance indicate a
negative reaction.
85
For confirmation, a molecular identification test was done by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
Pure cultures of different type colonies were kept in nutrient broth with 10% glycerol and stored
in -20°C until molecular identification.
Isolation of genomic DNA
The susceptive bacterial colonies were taken from pure culture stock, inoculated into a nutrient
broth (Liofilchem) and incubated in a shaker incubator (120 rpm) at 28°C for 24-48 hours. After
incubation, bacterial colonies were used for genomic DNA extraction. GeneJET Genomic DNA
purification kit (Thermo Scientific, # K0721) protocol were used for genomic DNA extraction.
Around 2 X 106 cell/ml were transferred to 1.5 ml Eppendorf and centrifuged for 10 min. at 5000
X g. The supernatant was discarded, and 180 µl digestion solution and 20 µl proteinase k solution
were added to suspend the pellet. The suspended pellet was vortexed for uniform suspension.
Then suspended solutions were incubated in a shaking water bath at 56°C for 30 min. After
incubation, 20 µl of RNase A solution were added, vortexed and incubated for 10 min. at room
temperature (25°C). Then 200 µl lysis solution were added and vortexed for 15 s. After that 400
µl of 50% ethanol was added, vortexed and prepared lysate were transferred to a GeneJET DNA
purification kit column inserted into a collection tube. Columns were centrifuged for 1 min at
6000xg, and the collection tube containing flow-through solution was discarded. Then GeneJET
DNA purification columns were placed into a new 2 ml collection tube. Next 500 µl of wash buffer
I (with ethanol) were added to the columns and centrifuged for 1 min. at 8000 x g. The flow through
collection was discarded, and the purification columns were placed back into the collection tube.
Then 500 µl of wash buffer II (with ethanol) were added to the columns and centrifuged for 3 min.
at 14000 X g. After centrifuging, the collection tubes containing flow-through solutions were
discarded, purification columns were placed to a 1.5 ml sterile microcentrifuge tube, and 200 µl of
86
elution buffer were added to the center of the purification column to elute genomic DNA. Then
columns were incubated for 2 min. at room temperature (25°C) and centrifuged for 1min at 8000
X g. After that purification column were discarded and purified DNA were used for next step.
DNA quality measurement by gel electrophoresis
Electrophoresis was used for checking the DNA quality by comparing with the 1Kb plus DNA
ladder marker (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA). The 1 µl of loading dye and 5 µl of DNA samples
were transferred to 1.5 ml Eppendorf, mixed by pipetting and then loaded into the well of an
agarose gel (agarose powder (MP Biomedicals, USA). Around 6 µl 1 Kb plus DNA ladder marker
were also added to the well near the samples. Next, 0.5 X TBE buffer (Boric acid, Himedia-
MB007; Tris Base Buffer, TBE, VMR Life Science; EDTA, Merck, Molecular Biology Grade)
was added to the chamber. The electric current ran for 45 min at 70 volts (Biometra electrophoresis
power supply). Then the gel was transferred to the gel documentation system, and DNA band was
observed under the UV light (UVDI, Major Science).
Amplification by PCR
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with universal primer sets (Macrogen, Korea) was used for
amplification (Table 4.2). The PCR mixture reagents were mixed according to directions (Table
4.3). The PCR thermocycler (2720 thermal cycler, Applied Biosystems) was used for
amplification. The thermal profile of PCR was an initial dilution step was set up for 5 min at 94°C,
denaturation step of 35 cycles was set up at 94°C for 1 min, annealing for 40 seconds at 57°C,
extension step set up was for 1 min at 72°C and final extension step was set up for 10 min. at 72°C.
87
Table. 4.2. Primer sequence used for polymerase chain reaction amplification
Table 4.3. The concentration of polymerase chain reaction mixture
Primers Sequences(5’-3’) Primer
size (bp)
GC content
(%)
PCR amplification size (bp)
8F AGAGTTTGATCCTGGCTCAG 20 50.0% 1484
1492R GGTTACCTTGTTACGACTT 19 42.11%
Sl No. Reagents Concentration Final volume (100 µl)
1. 25mM MgCl2 (Thermo Fisher
Scientific)
1.5 mM 6
2. Reaction buffer (Thermo
Fisher Scientific)
1 X 10
3. 10mM dNTP (Thermo Fisher
Scientific)
200 µM each dNTP 2
4. F primer (Macrogen Korea) 0.1-1.0 µM 3
5. R primer (Macrogen Korea) 0.1-1.0 µM 3
6. DNA template 100ng/100 µl 5
7. Taq polymerase (Thermo
Fisher Scientific)
0.05 U 1
8. Sterile deionized water 70
88
For the agarose gel electrophoresis, around 5 µl of the PCR amplicons were mixed with 1 µl of 6
X loading dye and then loaded into 1.5% agarose gel with 1 Kb plus ladder marker. Then 0.5 X
TBE buffer was added to the chamber, and the electric current was run for 45 min at 70 volts.
The amplicons were visualized under the UV light by gel documentation system (UVDI, Major
Science).
Purification of PCR sample
The PCR product was purified by using a commercial PCR Purification Kit (Thermo Scientific
GeneJET PCR Purification Kit #K0701). First, binding buffer was added to the completed PCR
mixture at 1:1 volume and vortexed. Then the solution was transferred to the GeneJET purification
column, centrifuged for 60 s. at 14000 X g and the flow-through was discarded. Wash Buffer (700
µl) (diluted with the ethanol) was added to the GeneJET purification column, centrifuged for 60 s
at 14000 X g. The empty GeneJET purification column was centrifuged at 14000 X g for an
additional 1 min to completely remove any residual wash buffer. The GeneJET purification
column was transferred to a clean 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tube, and 30 μl of elution buffer was
added to the center of the GeneJET purification column membrane and centrifuged for 1 min at
14000 X g to elute DNA. Finally, the GeneJET purification column was discarded, and the purified
PCR product stored at -20°C for further use.
DNA sequencing of isolated bacteria
The purified PCR products with sequencing primer were sent to the National Institute of
Biotechnology, Savar, Dhaka for sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The sequence results were
compared to BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) at the National Center for
Biotechnology Information website (NCBI, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/).
89
4.3 Result and Discussion
4.3.1 Louisiana, US Shrimp
No coliforms, E. coli, Salmonella, V. cholerae, V. vulnificus or Listeria monocytogenes were found
in L. setiferus and F. aztecus from Louisiana, US. L. setiferus and F. aztecus had Vibrio fluvialis,
and Pseudomonas luteola was isolated from F. aztecus. One replicate of F. aztecus (Fall 2016 A)
and two replicates of L. setiferus (fall 2016 A and fall 2016 B) contained V. fluvialis : 67% of L.
setiferus sample (6 isolates) and 33.3% of F. aztecus sample (3 isolates). The species V. fluvialis
is a halophilic gram negative bacteria, considered a foodborne pathogen and commonly found in
coastal environments (Ramamurthy et al., 2014). The presence of V. fuvialis in shrimp increases
the chance of people getting sick if they consume raw or improperly cooked shrimp.
V. fluvialis is responsible for causing diarrhea and has been known to cause acute occurences in
India (Chowdhury et al., 2012). V. fluvialis were also found in shrimp from Japan, Bangladesh,
USA, and China (Aihara et al., 1991; Jiang, 1991; Kolb et al.,1997; Tanabe et al., 1999; Lesmana
et al., 2002). Illness or infection can be characterized by nausea, vomiting, watery bloody diarrhea,
loss of appetite, and fever (Igbinosa and Okoh, 2010). Ten gastroenteritis cases were reported in
Florida between 1982 to 1988, due to the consumption of V. fluvialis contaminated seafood,
(Klontz and Desenclos, 1990). Vibrio associated disease are well-known for occuring after the
consumption of raw oysters, and about 6% of cases are caused by V. fluvialis (Levine and Griffin,
1993). The factors that influence the occurrence of V. fluvialis are temperature, dissolved oxygen
and salinity (Igbinosa et al., 2011). Many of the current samples were collected in Louisiana during
the fall season, or relatively warmer months. V. fluvialis was found in a warmer region of Florida
even in the winter months (Williams and Larock, 1985), and occurrence of this species increased
90
around 29 % due to temperature rises in some niches in France (Martin and Bonnefont, 1990).
Enterocolitis in infants has occurred due to V. fluvialis in the United States (Bellet et al., 1989).
In the United States, V. fluvialis was isolated from shellfish samples in Louisiana, shellfish and
water of the Pacific Northwest estuaries, and water and sediments of New York bays (Seidler et
al.,1980; Tison et al., 1982). As V. fluvialis is common in coastal environments, seawater and
organisms of aquatic habitats, prevention is one of the best options to avoid illness with proper
washing and cooking, and avoiding raw consumption for consumers that are
immunocompromised. Igbinosa and Okoh (2010) suggested that good sanitary management in
aquaculture and good harvesting practices should be taken to reduce V. fluvialis risk.
The fall 2016 B F. aztecus contained Pseudomonas luteola (33.3% of F. aztecus sample, 2
isolates). P. luteola is a nonspore forming rod shaped bacteria and is considered as uncommon
opportunistic pathogen. The natural habitat is still unclear, but it is typically found in soil, water
and moist environments (Chihab et al., 2004; Yousefi et al., 2014). Pseudomonas spp. were found
in fish of temperate water (Kilcast, 2001). Septicemia, meningitis, and peritonitis with health
disordered patients might be caused by P. luteola. Pseudomonas spp. were found from P.
californiensis intestine (Hernandez-Lopez et al., 1997), but it has not been previously reported that
P. luteola was isolated from shrimp.
91
Table 4.4. Bacteria isolated from the L. setiferus, F. aztecus, M. rosenbergii and P. monodon.
Shrimp
Source
Bacterial Species Isolates Replicates found
(out of 3)
L. setiferus Vibrio fluvialis 6 2
F. aztecus Vibrio fluvialis
Pseudomonas luteola
3
2
1
1
M. rosenbergii Proteus pennari
Escherichia coli
Enterobacter aerogenes
Enterobacter cloacae
Aeromonas dhakensis
Enterococcus faecalis
10
6
1
4
5
4
2
3
1
1
1
1
P. monodon Proteus pennari
Escherichia coli
Escherichia fergusonii
Enterobacter aerogenes
Serratia marcescens
Enterobacter xiangfangensis
9
5
2
1
1
1
3
2
1
1
1
1
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4.3.2 Bangladesh Shrimp
Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and Vibrio spp. were not isolated from shrimp collected from
the local market in Bangladesh. However, Escherichia coli, Proteus pennari, Enterobacter
aerogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia fergusonii, Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter
xiangfangensis and Aeromonas dhakensis were isolated (Table 4.4).
The species Proteus pennari was isolated from both P. monodon (100% of samples; 9 isolates)
and M. rosenbergii (67% of samples; 10 isolates) (Table 4.4). Proteus pennari is included in the
Enterobacteriaceae family, and it is an invasive pathogen (Kishore, 2012; Hickman et al., 1982).
P. pennari is considered a destructive pathogen for farmed shrimp and responsible for creating red
body disease outbreak (Cao et al., 2014). P. pennari was isolated from red body disease infected
P. vennami shrimp in China (Cao et al., 2014). The shrimp farming industry in India, China,
Philippines and other Southeast and East Asian countries have had large economic losses due to
red body disease in shrimp (Cao et al., 2015). P. pennari is capable of causing infectious disease
in humans such as subcutaneous abscess and human bacteremia (Kaistha et al. 2011; Kishore
2012). It is believed that the urease enzyme of P. pennari can be responsible for kidney stone
formation (Krajden et al., 1984). P. pennari has intrinsic resistance to ampicillin antibiotic (CLSI,
2018). These results indicate these bacteria could come from shrimp farms.
E. coli was also found in both shrimp species: 100% of M. rosenbergii samples (6 isolates) and
67% of P. monodon samples (5 isolates) (Table 4.4). E. coli is a thermotolerant coliform, which
is part of the natural microflora of intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals (Da Silva et al., 2012).
The presence of E. coli in shrimp indicates that they were not properly handled, and fecal
contamination occurred at some point. The sources of E. coli could be the water of the shrimp
farm, which may be contaminated by nearby fecal source, improper handling during harvesting,
93
storage, or during sale in a fish market (Mandal et al., 2009; Roy et al., 2013). The water in
Bangladesh can be contaminated by fecal coliforms during the rainy season from various sources
including poor waste managemant systems, poor sanitary conditions in rural areas, pets, or poultry
from nearby farms (Mandal et al., 2009). Fish markets can also be a source as fish market
conditions of Bangladesh are not hygienic. In Bangladesh, E. coli was found in Nile tilapia
collected from a fish market (Mandal et al., 2009). In Andhrapradesh, India, a neighboring country
to Bangladesh, E. coli was also found in prawns Metapenaeus dobsoni that were collected from
fish market (Chakravarty et al., 2015). Different enteric disease are caused by E coli. These results
indicate that shrimp were contaminated with E. coli, indicative of poor sanitation practices at some
point in supply chain.
Enterobacter aerogenes was isolated from both shrimp species, 33% of M. rosenbergii samples (1
isolate) and P. monodon samples (1 isolate), while Enterobacter cloacae was isolated from 33 %
of M. rosenbergii samples (4 isolates) (Table 4.4). Enterobacter aerogenes and Enterobacter
cloacae both are gram negative bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family and are considered as
opportunistic pathogens responsible for nosocomial infection (Davin-Regli, 2015). Enterobacter
aerogenes was isolated from the gastrointestinal tract, blood, urine and respiratory specimens of
humans and can cause septic shock to patients (Lavigne et al., 2012; Davin-Regli, 2015). In
Nigeria, E. aerogenes was found in ready to eat frozen jumbo prawn, head-on shrimp and peeled
shrimp that were collected from different processing shops (Okonko et al., 2008). Unprocessed
shrimp also contained Enterobacter spp. in Nigeria (Okonko et al., 2008). E. aerogenes was also
found in market shrimps in India (Lakshmanan et al., 2002). The presence of E. aerogenes in both
P. monodon and M. rosenbergii may be due to poor water quality, the farm environment and
unhygienic handling. The eating of E. aerogenes contaminated shrimp can create adverse effects
94
on human health. Shrimp imported to Canada from Southeast Asia were tested and carbapenem
resistant E. aerogenes (Bangladesh origin) and E. cloacae (Vietnam origin) were found (Janecko
et al., 2016). Carbapenem is used to treat bacterial infection and if E. aerogenes in shrimp of
Bangladesh became resistant and transferred to humans, infected people might not be treatable
using that selective antibiotic.
P. monodon was also contaminated with Escherichia fergusonii, 33 % of samples (2 isolates)
(Table 4.4). E. fergusonii is a gram negative bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family which is
considered an emerging human pathogen. E. fergusonii is responsible for urinary tract infections,
diarrhea, wound infections, pleural infections and bacteremia, and one case study found that this
species is multidrug resistant (Savini et al., 2008). In Benin, E. fergusonii was isolated from shrimp
P. notialis during June from Lake Aheme (Dabadé, 2015).
Aeromonas dhakensis was isolated from M. rosenbergii, 33% of samples with 5 isolates (Table
4.4). Black spot necrosis of M. rosenbergii is caused by Aeromonas spp. (Brady and Lasso, 1992).
In Tamilnadu, India, Aeromonas spp. was isolated from P. semisulcatus shrimp stored on ice at a
fish market (Lakshmanan et al., 2002). The Aeromonas spp. can survive in shrimp during iced
storage and can become a major microflora during 9 to 12 days of storage (Lakshmanan et al.,
2002). One study in Thailand reported that the dominant microorganism in the intestine of P.
monodon were Vibrio, Aeromonas and Photobacterium (Chaiyapechara et al., 2012). In Iran, A.
hydrophila was isolated from P. indicus, P. monodon, P. semisulcatus, and P. merguiensis (Rahimi
et al., 2014; Soto‐Rodriguez et al., 2013). A. dhakensis was isolated from Nile tilapia. At first this
species was isolated in Dhaka, Bangladesh from children who suffered from diarrhea (Chen et al.,
2016). In Thailand, A. dhakensis was isolated from marine shrimp where water salinity was lower
(Yano et al., 2015). The genus Aeromonas is considered a human pathogen that is found in aquatic
95
environments, soil and animal feces (Rahimi et al., 2014; Ray and Bhunia, 2007). The presence of
Aeromonas spp. in shrimp can be a risk for human health. A. dhakensis is responsible for wound
infection, bactermia and gastroenteritis like other Aeromonas spp. (Chen et al., 2016).
Enterococcus faecalis was isolated from 33% of M. rosenbergii samples (4 isolates) (Table 4.4).
Enterococcus spp. is dominant in seawater and shrimp (Di Cesare et al., 2014). The Enterococcus
spp. is a gram positive cocci which is the natural microflora in the intestinal contents of humans,
animals, birds and in the environment (Ray and Bhunia, 2007). Human neonatal and respiratory
infections can be caused by Enterococcus spp. (Andrew and Mitchell, 1997). In Benin, E. faecalis
was isolated from shrimp P. notialis during June from Lake Aheme. (Dabadé, 2015). In Thailand,
E. faecalis was isolated from Pacific white shrimp L. vanamei, shrimp ponds, and water samples,
(Lohalaksanadech and Sajarit, 2015). In Poland E. faecalis was isolated from raw, cooked, and
ready to eat shrimp imported from Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and domestic Polish shrimp
(Chajęcka-Wierzchowska et al., 2016).
Serratia marcescens was isolated from 33% of P. monodon samples (1 isolate) (Table 4.4) and is
a gram negative bacteria, opportunistic pathogen, create red pigmentation and commonly found in
soil and water (Buckle, 2015). It can be transmitted by direct contact, and it is associated with
endocarditis, osteomyelitis, urinary and respiratory infections, septicemia, eye infections, wound
infections and meningitis (Buckle, 2015). In Spain, S. marcescens was identified in seafood
(Böhme et al., 2011). S. marcescens is also pathogenic for fish (Baya et al., 1992).
Found in 33% of P. monodon samples (1 isolate) (Table 4.4), Enterobacter xiangfangensis is gram
negative bacteria which can tolerate 9% salinity in nutrient broth culture. It was first isolated from
one type of bread, sourdough (Gu et al., 2014). Isolation of this species from shrimp or seafood
96
has not reported yet. Presence of this bacteria in shrimp indicate that may be cross contamination
happened due to poor handling practice.
In Kerala, India, bacteria found in M. rosenbergii and the M. rosenbergii farm environment
included E. aerogenous, E. cloacae, Aeromonas hydrophila, Enterococcus spp. (Lalitha and
Surendran, 2004). In farm-reared prawns, pathogenic bacteria can be a natural microflora. The
bacteria found in Bangladesh could come from the farm environment. In Bangladesh, around 70%
of the fresh M. rosenbergii was contaminated with fecal coliform (Rahman et al., 2012). The
findings of this research should be included when considering the safety of consumers of
Bangladesh as well as consumers in importing countries. During entry into any importing country,
shrimp are tested for bacterial contamination. Salmonella has been found, and recently shrimp
shipments were rejected due to the presence of Salmonella (FDA, 2018). The same care and
treatment of shrimp destined for export are not necessarily the same as shrimp destined for
domestic markets, and this should be considered when creating policy or regulation. In
Bangladesh, exported shrimp are handled and processed differently with more care for avoiding
any objection and rejection from the importing country. For shrimp destined for export, extra care
is taken from farm selection to transportation to processing plant by the processing plant owner.
One study reported that around 2,200 individual quick frozen (IQF) shrimp (including peeled, head
on, raw, and cooked) were tested and only 30 shrimp contained E. coli, and it was absent in cooked
shrimp (Hatha et al., 2003). Proper washing, proper hygiene in the processing plant, and low
temperature storage also reduce the bacterial load. The scenario is different for local shrimp. From
selling to transportation from the farm to different markets around Bangladesh, there is a high
chance of cross contamination by unwanted bacteria. Fish markets do not have hygienic
conditions. Therefore, local people of Bangladesh are more at risk for bacterial contamination. At
97
the farm level, good aquaculture practices should be applied for all shrimp, regardless of the final
destination, including good water quality, regular water exchange, proper handling during
harvesting, transportation and storage. After purchase, people should properly wash and cook all
seafood. Good aquaculture practices, proper handling and awareness education among farmers and
consumers can decrease the chance of contamination by harmful bacteria.
4.4 Conclusions
Local shrimp in Louisiana (L. setiferus and F. aztecus) and Bangladesh (P. monodon and M.
rosenbergii) were tested for harmful human bacteria including Salmonella, E. coli, V. cholerae, V.
vulnificus and L. monocytogenes. In Louisiana, US, none of the five specific bacteria were found,
but V. fluvialis and P. luteola were found. In Bangladesh, E. coli, P. pennari, E. aerogenes, E.
faecalis, E. fergusonii, and A. dhakensis were isolated from locally purchased shrimp. Some
bacteria are natural microflora in shrimp farms, but the presence of fecal coliform indicated that
fecal contamination occurred at some point in the supply chain. The presence of those bacteria
indicate that consumers in both countries are at risk in regards to food safety if proper handling is
not followed.
4.5 References
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Alday-Sanz, V. (2010). The shrimp book. Nottingham University Press, Nottingham.
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Brady, Y. J., and De La Vega, E. L. (1992). Communications: Bacteria in the Hemolymph of the
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Cao, H., He, S., Lu, L., Yang, X., and Chen, B. (2014). Identification of a Proteus penneri isolate
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CHAPTER 5. DETERMINATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL DRUGS RESIDUE IN
IMPORTED SHRIMP
5.1 Introduction
Shrimp is one of the world’s most popular shellfish with a higher farm and wild harvest value
compared to other seafood (Asche and Bjorndal, 2011). Shrimp are harvested from open waters
(wild) and from aquaculture facilities (farmed). Americans consume more shrimp than any other
seafood (Lee and Phelps, 2014). A high demand for shrimp leads to intensive farming, and this
can lead to problems of bacterial diseases (Defoirdt et al., 2011). Multiple factors are the cause of
shrimp diseases including the subtropical environment, nutrition, genetic and physiological
factors, virus, bacteria and fungus, (Alday-Sanz, 2010). Shrimp diseases are considered a serious
problem and represent the most important challenge facing the shrimp industry (Holmstrom et al.,
2003) as severe financial loss can occur. China lost about USD $15-30 billion due to diseases
outbreaks in aquaculture, and half of the disease are caused by bacterial infections (Liu et al.,
2017). Common bacterial diseases are fouling disease, vibriosis, mycobacterium, mycoplasma,
streptococosis, necrotizing hepatopancreatitis (NHP) and early mortality syndrome (EMS). NHP
and Vibrio are responsible for the majority of infections in shrimp farms (Roque et al., 2001).
Vibrio is a very common microflora in shrimp ponds, and mass mortalities have resulted from
infections caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus, V. alginolyticus, and V. harveyi
(Alday-Sanz, 2010). For the prevention of bacterial disease, antibiotics and antimicrobial drugs
are frequently used. Globally, commonly used antibiotics are cyclines (oxytetracycline,
chlortetracycline, tetracyclines), quinolones (enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, oxolinic acid, ofloxacin,
norfloxacin), sulfonamides (sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethazine), erythromycin, chloramphenicol,
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florfenicol, sarafloxacin, perfloxacin, gentamycin, trimethoprim, nitrofuran, tiamulin, furazolidon,
and ampicillin (Roque et al., 2001; Holmstrom et al., 2003, Soto-Rodríguez et al., 2006).
The use of antimicrobial drugs is categorized as therapeutic (treatment of established infection),
prophylactic (prevention of infection) or metaphylactic (group application to treat sick animals as
well as prevent disease of other animals) (Romero et al., 2012). Overuse of antimicrobial drugs
creates different detrimental effect such as the spread of the drugs to the environment, antibiotic
resistance of bacteria, and residue present in seafood (Binh et al., 2018; Done and Halden, 2015).
While these are the indirect results of antimicrobial use, some antimicrobials are generally
considered harmful. Nitrofuran and chloramphenicol may be responsible for causing cancer in
humans (Vass et al., 2008). Use of chloramphenicol is banned in USA, EU, Japan, China, Canada
and Australia due to the link with a fatal disease, aplastic anemia, and limited evidence of genetic
carcinogenicity (Hanekamp and Bast, 2015). Nitrofurans have potentially carcinogenic properties
and for this reason, it is completely restricted in many countries including EU, USA, Australia,
Philippines, Thailand and Brazil for the use in food-producing animals (Commission regulation,
1995; Khong et al., 2004). European countries permit some antibiotics in aquaculture in certain
species: oxytetracycline, erythromycin, florfenicol, sulfonamides and sarafloxacin (Santos and
Ramos, 2006). Antimicrobials banned for use by FDA include chloramphenicol, nitrofurans,
quinolones, fluorinated quinolones, nitroimidazoles, non-steroidal stilbestrol, steroids,
antimicrobial dyes, beta adrenergic agonists and glycopeptides. According to European legislation,
in directive 2001/82/EC (European Commission, 2001) and in regulation 470/2009 (European
Commission, 2009), food of animal origin should not contain any drug residue that can harmful
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for human health in a toxicological, microbiological or pharmacological point of view (Santos and
Ramos, 2016).
Nitrofurans are a broad spectrum synthetic antimicrobial which include nitrofurantoin (NIT),
furaltadon (FTD), furazolidone (FZD) and nitrofurazone (NFZ); all contain a 5 nitrofuran ring.
Nitrofuran is used in aquaculture, livestock and bee colonies as a growth promoter and for
prevention and treatment of bacterial and protozoan disease (Vass et al., 2008). Nitrofuran is used
for gastrointestinal infections by Salmonella, E. coli, coccidiosis blackhead, and fowling cholera
(Draisci et al., 1997). Although nitrofuran is banned for livestock and aquaculture use since 1995
by EU (European Commission, 1995), it is still used for human therapy. Nitrofuran cannot be
destroyed by cooking. It was reported that around 67-100 % residue can remain in muscle tissue
of liver pig sample after cooking, grilling, microwaving and roasting (Vass et al., 2008).
The first broad spectrum antibiotic was chloramphenicol (CAP) which was introduced in 1949 and
isolated from Streptomyces venezuelae (Hanekamp and Bast, 2015). Chloramphenicol was widely
used as veterinary drug as well as human antibiotics. Now the use of chloramphenicol is banned
in any food production chain. Chloramphenicol was detected in shrimp in 2001 exported from
Asian countries (Hanekamp and Bast, 2015). Risk resulting from the use of chloramphenicol
include aplastic anemia, genotoxic carcinogenicity, and grey baby syndrome. Chloramphenicol
can be considered as carcinogenic when exposed to higher doses (Martelli et al., 1991).
Quinolones with fluorine atom are known as fluoroquinolones. Fluoroquinolone (FQ) are banned
because of the potential harms including cardiac arrhythmia, renal failure, haemolysis, and
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thrombocytopenia (Stahlmann, 2002). It was used for the treatment of bacterial disease in
aquaculture. In the United States no fluoroquinones are approved for use in shrimp (Bermúdez-
Almada and Espinosa-Plascencia, 2012).
Oxytetracycline (OTC) is most widely used in aquaculture for treatment of bacterial diseases such
as vibriosis and furnuculosis (Reed et al., 2004). Oxytetracycline is derived from Streptomyces
spp. and can work against both gram positive and negative bacteria, mycoplasmas and others
(Bermúdez-Almada and Espinosa-Plascencia, 2012). However, it can also cause harmful effects,
and histological studies indicates that liver damage might be caused by oxytetracycline (Bruno,
1989). Additionally, bacterial resistance is another severe result from the frequent use of
oxytetracycline. Oxytetracycline resistant Vibrio harveyi bacteria in shrimp has already reported
(Abraham et al., 1997).
Malachite green (MG) is a triphenylemethene dye and traditionally used as coloring agent in the
textile industry. Malachite green has a diverse use such as a feed additive, fungicide, parasiticide,
bactericides, antiprotozics, food coloring agent, medical disinfectant and dye in leather, jute, silk,
wool and acrylic industries (Srivastava et al., 2004; Van et al., 2005; Singh et al., 2011; Bilandžić
et al., 2012). Since 1933, it was used in aquaculture due to its effectiveness, low cost, and
availability (Bilandžić et al., 2012). It is highly cytotoxic in bacterial and mammalian cell, acting
as a liver tumor enhancer and responsible for reproductive abnormalities in rabbit and fish (Meyer
and Jorgenson, 1983; Marnett and Burcham, 1993; Bilandžić et al., 2012). Therefore, the use of
malachite green is not authorized.
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A ban on use of antimicrobial drugs by FDA does not mean that these dangerous antibiotics are
not used in aquaculture worldwide. Banned antibiotic residue is found in imported shrimp, and
FDA inspects for residue and rejects those shrimp shipments. Although there is strict regulation
for not using banned antibiotics, only about 2 percent of imported shrimp are tested by FDA
(Anders, 2011). Use of antimicrobial drugs is not properly documented and regulated in these
exporting country. There is a possibility for residue of harmful drugs in shrimp to enter the US
supply chain and consumer’s diets. The goal of this study is to determine if residues of nitrofuran,
chloramphenicol, fluoroquinolones, oxytetracycline and malachite green are in imported shrimp
available for sale in local markets in the United States.
5.2 Methods
5.2.1 Sources of Shrimp
Imported shrimp were purchased from retail stores in Baton Rouge, LA in spring 2017 (Table
5.1). As many different (brand, product type, size count, etc.) types of shrimp were purchased as
were available. Samples were not evenly distributed by country, as this was an artifact of what
was available for purchase. After purchasing, shrimp samples were stored at -20°C. For sample
preparation, head and shell of the shrimp were removed, and the meat was homogenized to
obtain uniformity. The experiment was performed in the School of Renewable Natural
Resources, Louisiana State University (LSU) USA.
5.2.2 Analysis of Oxytetracycline (OTC)
Oxytetracycline ELISA test kit was used for oxytetracycline analysis (Bioo Scientific, reference
code 1081-01D). All reagents were mixed to kit specifications.
Extraction: Frozen samples were thawed at room temperature. One gram of homogenized sample
was mixed with 3 ml of 1X OXYTET extraction buffer in a test tube (Falcon™ 50 ml Conical
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Table 5.1. Source and condition of imported shrimp used for testing antibiotic residue
Sample ID Product Type* Source
Bangladesh 1 R Albertson
China 1 C, P, D, T Walmart
China 2 C, P, D, T Walmart
China 3 R, T, S Albertson
Ecuador 1 R Winn Dixie
India 1 R, EZ, T Walmart
India 2 R, P, D, T Walmart
India 3 R, S, EZ, T Walmart
India 4 R, P, D, T Walmart
India 5 R Albertson
India 6 R, P, D Albertson
India 7 R, T, S Winn Dixie
India 8 R, S, EZ, T Winn Dixie
India 9 R, P, D, TO Winn Dixie
India 10 R, P, D, TO Winn Dixie
India 11 R, P, D, TO Winn Dixie
India 12 R, P, D, TO Target
Indonesia 1 R, S, EZ, T Walmart
Indonesia 2 R Albertson
Indonesia 3 R Albertson
Indonesia 4 C, P, D, T Walmart
Indonesia 5 R, T, S Walmart
Thailand 1 R, EZ, T Walmart
Thailand 2 R, EZ, T Walmart
Thailand 3 R, S, EZ, T Walmart
Thailand 4 R, S, EZ, T Walmart
Thailand 5 R, S, EZ, T Walmart
Thailand 6 R, P, D, TO Walmart
Thailand 7 R Albertson
Thailand 8 R, T, S Albertson
Thailand 9 R, P, D, TO Winn Dixie
Thailand 10 R, P, TO Winn Dixie
Thailand 11 R, T, S Winn Dixie
Thailand 12 R Winn Dixie
Thailand 13 R, P, TO Albertson
Vietnam 1 R, S, EZ, T Winn Dixie
Vietnam 2 R, S, EZ, T Winn Dixie
Vietnam 3 R, P, D, TO Winn Dixie
Vietnam 4 C, P, D, T Walmart
Vietnam 5 R, P, D, TO Walmart
Vietnam 6 R, P, D, TO Walmart
Vietnam 7 R, S, EZ, T Winn Dixie
Notes: *Product type codes: P= peeled; TO=tail off, T=tail on; S=shell on, D=Deveined, EZ=EZ peel, R=
raw, C=cooked
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Centrifuge Tubes, Becton Dickinson), mixed well by vortex (miniroto S56, Fisher Scientific) and
centrifuged (sorvall legend x1r centrifuge, Thermo Scientific) for 10 min. at 4000 rpm. Then 200
µl of the supernatant was transferred to a new tube containing 25 µl of 1X OXYTET sample
balance buffer. The tube was swirled, and 275 µl 1x TET sample diluent was added to it. Then
samples were vortexed for 1 min.
ELISA: OTC standard was provided as a 450 ng lyophilized powder, and the standards were mixed
according to manufacture specifications at the following concentrations: 0, 0.15, 0.375, 0.75, 1.5,
4.5 ppb. Solutions were mixed according to manufacturer specifications. Test kit 96 well plates
were used for the ELISA. Each OTC standard (0, 0.15, 0.375, 0.75, 1.5, 4.5 ppb) or shrimp sample
was added in duplicate into different wells. Antibody 1 (100 µl) was added and mixed well by
gently shaking the plate manually for 1 min. Plate was incubated for 55 min. at room temperatures
(20-25°C). Solution was thoroughly aspirated from wells, and the liquid was discarded. Then the
plate was washed 3 times with 250 µl 1X wash solution.
After the last wash, the plate was inverted, tapped and dried on a paper towel. TMB substrate (100
µl) was added to each well. Plates were incubated for 15 min. at room temperature (20-25°C). The
solution was mixed by gently shaking the plate manually for 1 min. while incubating. After
incubation 100 µl of stop buffer was added to stop the enzyme reaction. Then the plate was read
by 450 nm primary filter and 630 nm differential filter wavelengths. Absorbance was measured
using a Bio-Tek Synergy HT Multi-Detection Microplate Reader (BioTek Instruments Minooski,
VT, USA).
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Concentration was measured by following formula:
Relative absorbance (%) = absorbance standard (or sample) x 100 / absorbance zero standard
The dilution factor was 10 for shrimp. The test kit has a range of 0.15 to 4.5 ppb and a detection
limit of 1.5 in shrimp. All 42 samples were run in 2017. For any sample that tested positive for
OTC residue, three or four shrimp replicates from the same sample were extracted and run in 2018.
5.2.3 Analysis of Chloramphenicol (CAP)
Chloramphenicol ELISA test kit manual was used for Chloramphenicol (CAP) analysis (Bioo
Scientific, reference code 1013-02). Sample extraction and balance buffer were mixed according
to manufacture specifications.
Extraction: Homogenized sample (3 g) was mixed with 6 ml of ethyl acetate in a test tube
(Falcon™ 50ml Conical Centrifuge Tubes, Becton Dickinson), mixed well by vortex (miniroto
S56, Fisher Scientific) for 3 min., and centrifuged (sorvall legend x1r centrifuge, Thermo
Scientific) for 5 min. at 4000 rpm at room temperature (20-25°C). Then 4 ml of the ethyl acetate
supernatant was transferred to a new tube, and the sample was dried at 60-70°C in a water bath
(microprocessor controlled 280 series, Precision, Thermo Scientific). Dried residue was dissolved
with 2 ml of n-hexane, and then 1 ml of 1X sample extraction buffer was added and mixed well
by vortex (miniroto S56, Fisher Scientific) for 2 min. Then samples were centrifuged (Sorvall
legend x1r centrifuge, Thermo Scientific) for 10 min. at 4000 rpm at room temperature (20-25°C).
The upper hexane layer was discarded, and 100 µl of lower aqueous layer was used each well on
the plate for the assay.
ELISA: Provided CAP standard (100 µl) was added in duplicate into different wells. Then 100 µl
of each sample was added in duplicate into different sample wells. CAP-HRP conjugate (50 µl)
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was added, mixed well by gently shaking the plate manually for 1 min. and the plate was incubated
for 1 hr. at room temperature (20-25°C). Then the plate was washed 3 times by 250 µl 1X wash
solution. After the last wash, the plate was inverted, tapped and dried on paper towel. TMB
substrate (100 µl) was added to each well. The plate was incubated for 20 min. at room temperature
(20-25°C). The solution was mixed by gently shaking the plate manually for 1 min. while
incubating. After incubation 100 µl of stop buffer was added to stop the enzyme reaction. Then
the plate was read at 450 nm. Absorbance was measured using a Bio-Tek Synergy HT Multi-
Detection Microplate Reader (BioTek Instruments Minooski, VT, USA). Concentration was
measured by following formula:
Relative absorbance (%) = absorbance standard (or sample) x 100 / absorbance zero standard
The dilution factor was 0.5 and a detection limit of 0.025 for shrimp.
All 42 imported samples were tested in 2017.
5.2.4 Analysis of Nitrofurantoin (NIT)
Nitrofurantoin ELISA test kit manual was used for Nitrofurantoin (NIT) analysis (Bioo Scientific,
reference code 1070-02). All reagents were mixed to kit specifications. Frozen samples were
thawed at room temperatures.
Extraction: Exactly 1 g of homogenized sample was mixed with 0.5 ml 1X sample extraction
buffer, 3.5 ml of distilled water, 0.5 ml of 1 M HCl and 20 µl of 50 mM 2-nitrobenzaldehyde in a
test tube (Falcon™ 50ml Conical Centrifuge Tubes, Becton Dickinson). All were mixed well by
vortex (miniroto S56, Fisher Scientific) for 30 s. and incubated at 50°C in an incubator
(microprocessor controlled 280 series, Precision, Thermo Scientific) for 3 hr. Each sample was
vortexed for 5 s. every hour during the incubation. Then 5 ml of 0.1M K2HPO4, 6 ml of ethyl
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acetate and 0.4 ml of 1M NaOH were added, mixed well by vortex (miniroto S56, Fisher Scientific)
for 30 s. and centrifuged (Sorvall legend x1r centrifuge, Thermo Scientific) for 10 min. at 4000
rpm at room temperature (20-25°C). The ethyl acetate supernatant (3 ml) was transferred to a new
tube, and the sample was dried at 60-70°C in a water bath (microprocessor controlled 280 series,
Precision, Thermo Scientific). Dried residue was dissolved with 1 ml of n-hexane, and then 1 ml
of 1X sample extraction buffer was added and mixed well by vortex (miniroto S56, Fisher
Scientific) for 2 min. Samples were then centrifuged (sorvall legend x1r centrifuge, Thermo
Scientific) for 10 min. at 4000 rpm at room temperature (20-25°C). After centrifugation, 100 µl of
lower aqueous layer was used each well on the plate for the assay.
ELISA: Solutions were mixed according to manufacturer specifications. Exactly 100 µl of each
AHD standard was added in duplicate into different wells. Then 100 µl of each sample was added
in duplicate into different sample wells. AHD-HRP conjugate (50 µl) was added, mixed well by
gently shaking the plate manually for 1 min. and incubated the plate for 30 min. at room
temperature (20-25°C). Then the plate was washed 3 times by 250 µl 1X wash solution. After the
last wash, the plate was inverted, tapped and dried on paper towel. Accurately 100 µl of TMB
substrate was added to each well. Plate was incubated for 20 min. at room temperature (20-25°C).
Solution was mixed by gently shaking the plate manually for 1 min. while incubating. After
incubation 100 µl of stop buffer was added to stop the enzyme reaction. Then the plate was read
at 450 nm. Absorbance was measured using a Bio-Tek Synergy HT Multi-Detection Microplate
Reader (BioTek Instruments Minooski, VT, USA).
Concentration was measured by following formula:
Relative absorbance (%) = absorbance standard (or sample) x 100 / absorbance zero standard
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Dilution factor was 2. The test kit has a working range of 0.025-6.4 ppb and a detection limit of
0.05 in shrimp.
All 42 samples were run in 2017. For any sample that tested positive for NIT residue, shrimp
replicates from the same sample were extracted and run in 2018. In 2018 a solvent control was
included to check for false positive due to high background.
5.2.5 Analysis of Fluoroquinolone (FQ)
Fluoroquinolone ELISA test kit manual (Bioo Scientific, reference code 1024-01) was used for
fluoroquinolone (FQ) analysis. All reagents were mixed to kit specifications. Frozen samples were
thawed at room temperatures. For sample preparation, the head and shell of shrimp were removed,
and the meat was ground by blender to obtain uniformity.
Extraction: Exactly 1 g of homogenized sample was mixed with 4 ml of 70 % methanol in a test
tube (Falcon™ 50 ml Conical Centrifuge Tubes, Becton Dickinson). All were mixed well by
vortex (miniroto S56, Fisher Scientific) for 10 min. and centrifuged (sorvall legend x1r centrifuge,
Thermo Scientific) for 5 min. at 4000 rpm at room temperature (20-25°C). Accurately 0.5 ml of
the supernatant was transferred to a new tube, and 0.5 ml of 1X sample extraction buffer was added
and mixed well by vortex (miniroto S56, Fisher Scientific). Accurately 50 µl was used each well
on the plate for the assay.
ELISA: All reagents, wash solution and antibody were mixed to kit specifications. Exactly 50 µl
of each enrofloxacin standard was added in duplicate into different wells. Then 50 µl of each
sample was added in duplicate into different sample wells. Antibody-1 (100 µl) was added, mixed
well by gently shaking the plate manually for 1 min., and then the plate was incubated for 30 min.
at room temperature (20-25°C). Solution was thoroughly aspirated from wells, and the liquid was
115
discarded. Then the plate was washed 3 times by 250 µl 1X wash solution. After the last wash, the
plate was inverted, tapped and dried on paper towel. Then 150 µl of 1X HRP-conjugated antibody-
2 was added and incubated for 30 min. at room temperature (20-25°C).
Solution was thoroughly aspirated from wells and liquid was discarded. Then the plate was washed
3 times by 250 µl 1X wash solution. After the last wash, plate was inverted, tapped and dried on a
paper towel. Accurately 100 µl of TMB substrate was added to each well. The plate was incubated
for 15 min. at room temperature (20-25°C). Solution was mixed by gently shaking the plate
manually for 1 min. while incubating. After incubation 100 µl of stop buffer was added to stop the
enzyme reaction. Then plate was read at 450 nm. Absorbance was measured using a Bio-Tek
Synergy HT Multi-Detection Microplate Reader (BioTek Instruments Minooski, VT, USA).
Concentration was measured by following formula using Maxsignal ELISA analysis program in
Excel.
Relative absorbance (%) = absorbance standard (or sample) x 100 / absorbance zero standard
Dilution factor was 10. The FQ test kit had a range of 0.1-5.0 ppb and a detection limit of 0.4 ppb
in shrimp. All samples were run once in 2017, but due to an error, all were retested in 2018.
5.2.6 Analysis of Malachite Green (MG)
Malachite Green ELISA test kit manual (Bioo Scientific, reference code 1019-04A) was used for
Malachite Green (MG) analysis. Oxidant solution and sample extraction buffer were mixed
according to manufacture specifications.
Extraction: Frozen samples were thawed at room temperatures. Exactly 2 g of homogenized
sample was mixed with 1 ml of 1X sample extraction buffer-A and 0.4 ml of 1X sample extraction
buffer-B in a test tube (Falcon™ 50 ml Conical Centrifuge Tubes, Becton Dickinson). The solution
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was swirled for 15 s. to allow the buffers to coat the tissue before going the next step. After 6 ml
of acetonitrile was added, the solution was mixed manually by shaking to ensure that acetonitrile
penetrated the shrimp tissue and for proper mixing. Samples were then vortexed (miniroto S56,
Fisher Scientific) for 10-15 min. and centrifuged (sorvall legend x1r centrifuge, Thermo Scientific)
for 15 min. at 4000 rpm at room temperature (20-25°C). Exactly 2 ml of the upper acetonitrile
layer were transferred to a new test tube containing 300 mg MG clean up mix, mixed well by
vortex (miniroto S56, Fisher Scientific) for 1 min. and incubated at room temperature for 3-5 min.
After incubation, sample was vortex again for 30 s. and centrifuged (sorvall legend x1r centrifuge,
Thermo Scientific) for 10 min. at 4000 rpm at room temperature (20-25°C). Exactly 1ml of the
supernatant was transferred to a new 2 ml plastic vial and was dried in a water bath (microprocessor
controlled 280 series, Precision, Thermo Scientific) at 50-60°C. Accurately 100 µl of 1X oxidant
solution was added to the dried residue, vortexed for 30 s., centrifuged for 10 s. and incubated for
10-15 min. at room temperature. After incubation, 400 µl of 1X sample extraction buffer-C was
added, tubes were swirled, and then 650 µl of n-hexane was added. The sample solution was
vortexed for 2 min. and centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 15 min. The upper hexane layer was discarded,
and 100 µl of lower aqueous layer was used each well on the plate for the assay.
ELISA: Solution were mixed according to manufacture specifications. Exactly 100 µl of each MG
standard was added in duplicate into different wells on the provided 96 well plate. Then 100 µl of
each sample was added in duplicate into different sample wells. MG-HRP conjugated (50 µl) was
added, and samples were mixed well by gently shaking the plate manually for 1 min. The plate
was then incubated for 1 hr. at room temperature (20-25°C). Solution was thoroughly aspirated
from wells, and the liquid was discarded. Then the plate was washed 3 times by 250 µl 1X wash
solution. After the last wash, the plate was inverted, tapped and dried on paper towel. After
117
incubation 100 µl of stop buffer was added to stop the enzyme reaction. Then the plate was read
by plate reader at 450 nm. Absorbance was measured using a Bio-Tek Synergy HT Multi-
Detection Microplate Reader (BioTek Instruments Minooski, VT, USA).
Concentration was measured by following formula:
Relative absorbance (%) = absorbance standard (or sample) x 100 / absorbance zero standard
Dilution factor was 1.5. MG test had a range of 0.05-4.5 ppb and a detection limit of 0.8 ppb in
shrimp. All 42 samples were run in 2017. For any that tested positive for malachite green residue
or were near the detection limit, additional shrimp replicates from the same sample were tested in
2018. Additionally, a solvent control was run.
5.3 Results and Discussion
5.3.1 Oxytetracycline (OTC)
The detection limit for the oxytetracycline ELISA was 1.5 ppb in shrimp and cross reactivity of
the antibody with OTC is 100 %. Five samples were close to or over the detection limit in 2017,
and 3 or 4 shrimp from these samples were rerun in 2018. Only 3 samples (7.1 %) had OTC residue
over than the detection limit in 2018 (Fig. 5.2.), and two of those came from Thailand (15.4 % of
Thai samples) and one from China (33.3 % of Chinese samples). Thailand 9 had three samples
tested again. One was below detection, and two ranged from 1.59 to > 4.5 ppb. Thailand 12 had
four samples tested in 2018, and all four were over the test range limit (> 4.5ppb). China 3 had
four samples tested in 2018, and two were below the detection limit, but the other two were over
the test range limit (> 4.5 ppb) (Table 5.2). This could indicate mixing of shrimp from various
aquaculture facilities along the supply chain as residue was not consistent within a given sample
bag. OTC is the most commonly used antibiotic for the treatment of vibriosis and necrotizing
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hepatopancreatitis in shrimp farms (Wang et al., 2004; Nogueira-Lima et al., 2006). A previous
study suggested that oxytetracycline residue is not detectable in muscle tissue of Penaeus chinensis
after 96 hours from the oral administration of OTC mixed feed where concentration of OTC was
2000 mg per kg feed (Wang et al., 2004). The presence of OTC residue indicates that either
improper doses of OTC might have been used or withdrawal time was not maintained before
harvesting. Withdrawal time can vary from species to species due to anatomical differences and
plasma protein and tissue binding with drugs (Barron et al., 1988). Overuse of oxytetracycline is
not only responsible for residue in tissue, but also bacterial resistance to oxytetracycline was also
reported in shrimp farms in the Philippines; isolated Vibrios were highly resistant to
oxytetracycline (Tendencia and de la Peña, 2001). As OTC is permitted for use, farmers may not
care or pay attention to dosing. Different doses of OTC are used in Bangladesh (i.e. 50g/ body
weight, 50mg/body weight, etc.) (Shamsuzzaman and Biswas, 2012). Although in this experiment,
the Bangladesh shrimp sample was negative for oxytetracycline residue. About 95% of
oxytetracycline are passed through the host organism to the surrounding environment (Serrano,
2005), and that could be another route for exposure if shrimp are not directly given OTC.
5.3.2 Chloramphenicol (CAP)
The detection limit for the chloramphenicol (CAP) ELISA was 0.025 ppb in fish and shrimp. No
shrimp samples were above the test range limit for chloramphenicol (0 %) (Figure 5.1 & Table
5.2). The use of chloramphenicol in shrimp farming in Southeast Asia has been reported (Gräslund
and Bengtsson, 2001). CAP use is prohibited in many countries including USA, Canada, China,
Japan and Australia, and no maximum residual limit is set for CAP (European Commission, 2009;
Wongtavatchail et al., 2004). Although chloramphenicol is not permitted for use, it is effective for
the treatment of vibriosis septicemia (Wang et., 2004).
119
Table 5.2. Level (ppb) of residue in shrimp samples (2018 values). If multiple replicates from a sample were tested,
the mean is presented.
Sample ID FQ MG NIT CAP OTC
Bangladesh 1 1.0
China 3 1.2 >4.5
Ecuador 1 4.4
India 1 0.7 4
India 3 2.3
India 5 4.2
India 6 2
India 7 1.7
India 10 1.1
India 11 1
India 12 1.5
Indonesia 2 3.1
Indonesia 3 2.3
Indonesia 4 1.1
Indonesia 5 1.6
Thailand 2 0.7 1.0
Thailand 3 0.5 2.0
Thailand 4 1.1 1.8
Thailand 5 1.8
Thailand 6 0.5
Thailand 7 1.6
Thailand 8 2.5
Thailand 9 2.0
Thailand 11 2.2
Thailand 12 2.1 2.7 >4.5
Thailand 13 2.2
Vietnam 1 1.7
Vietnam 2 0.4
Vietnam 3 2.2 1.6
Vietnam 4 1.9
Vietnam 5 2.9 2.3
Vietnam 7 >4.5 1.0
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Figure 5.1. Samples testing positive for antibiotic residue by country. All values are percent of samples from a given
country or total of all countries combined.
Previous studies have found the presence of chloramphenicol in shrimp. One study reported that
farmed shrimp of India contained chloramphenicol residue in the range of 0.02 - 0.3 µg/kg, and 14
shrimp samples exceeded the EU limit, however no wild shrimp from India tested positive (Raffi
and Suresh, 2011). Wang et al. (2004) suggested that chloramphenicol residue is not detectable in
muscle tissue of Penaeus chinensis after 72 hr. from the oral administration of CAP mixed feed
where concentration of CAP was 2000 mg per kg feed. A lack of detection could be due to
withdrawal time before harvesting or increased adherence to the regulations banning CAP.
According to the European Commission, aquaculture and fishery products that come from
Vietnam, Thailand, China, Malaysia and Indonesia should be examined to ensure that CAP residue
Country of Origin
Thailand
India
Indonesia
Bangladesh
Ecuador
VietnamChina
Total:
Positiv
e S
am
ple
s (
%)
0
20
40
60
80
100 OxytetracyclineChloramphenicolNitrofuransMalachite GreenFluoroquinolone
121
is absent (Oliveri et al., 2015). CAP is also banned in Indonesia and should be zero in shrimp
(Suseno et al., 2016). However, around 5 ppm CAP still used in shrimp farming in Indonesia
(Supriyadi et al. 2000). It was also reported that control of CAP is difficult in Indonesia as shrimp
which were subjected to export was treated differently; only shrimp for local consumption had
CAP used during the production as those shrimp would not be tested for residue (Suseno et al.,
2016). While samples in this current study were negative for chloramphenicol, it has been found
in shrimp samples imported into the USA, and companies from Brazil, China, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Venezuela, and Vietnam are on under import alert and subject to detention without physical
examination due to the presence of chloramphenicol in previous shipments (U.S. Food and Drug
Administration, 2017).
5.3.3 Nitrofurantoin (NIT)
The detection limit for the nitrofurantoin ELISA was 0.05 ppb in fish and shrimp. Specificity or
cross reactivity of the antibody with NIT is 100 %. Almost 100 % of the samples tested positive
in 2017, so all the samples were reanalyzed in 2018 this time including a solvent control. However,
in 2018 over 70 % of the shrimp samples were positive for nitrofurantoin residue over the detection
limit, and residue range was 0.4 to 4.4 ppb (Table 5.2). Shrimp which had nitrofurantoin residue
were imported from Thailand (77 % of Thai samples), India (67 %), Vietnam (86 %), Indonesia
(60 %), China (33 %), Bangladesh (100 %) and Ecuador (100 %) (Figure 5.1). Results of this study
indicate that exporting countries do not following the regulation of not using nitrofuran. Other
studies found that although use of nitrofuran is banned by US and EU, shellfish farms of Asia and
Latin America still use it (Oliveri et al., 2015). Many consignments of shrimp and prawn of
Bangladesh were rejected by US FDA and European Commission because of the presence of
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nitrofuran drugs ( Shamsuzzaman and Biswas, 2012). Shrimp shipments from China, India, United
Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Canada and Bangladesh were rejected several times even in 2018, due
to presence of nitrofuran (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2018b).
No safe level for nitrofuran is set, so there is a zero tolerance in the US. In 2003, a minimum
required performance limit (MRPL) level of nitrofuran was set at 1µg/ kg by EU for poultry and
aquaculture products (European Commission, 2009). Nitrofuran is difficult to detect because it is
quickly metabolized and for this reason metabolites (AOZ, SEM, AHD, AMOZ) of nitrofuran are
used for determination (Oliveri et al., 2015). In 2007, EU authorities revealed that nitrofuran
contamination incidence was higher in India (37 %), China (37 %), Bangladesh (10 %) and
Thailand (5 %), and the contaminated products were mainly shrimp but also included canned meats
and honey (Vass et al., 2008). Vass et al., (2008) found the nitrofuran metabolites furazolidon
(AOZ) and nitrofurazone (SEM), in Penaeus monodon, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, and Penaeus
vannamei, and residue ranges were > 1 ppb to 150 ppb. The 150 ppb was found in Black tiger
shrimp imported from India (Vass et al., 2008).
5.3.4 Fluoroquinolone (FQ)
The detection limit for the fluoroquinolone ELISA rapid method was 0.4 ppb in fish and shrimp.
Cross reactivity of the antibody with enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, difloxacin, sarafloxacin are 100
%, and with norfloxacin, oxolinic acid, pipemidic acid, ofloxacin, danofloxacin, flumequin are
143, 112, 102, 97, 73, and 62 % respectively. Fluoroquinolone residue was detected in 16.7 % of
samples, and residue levels ranged was 0.5 to 2.9 ppb (Table 5.2). Shrimp which had FQ residue
were imported from Thailand (30.8 % of Thai samples), India (8.3 % of samples), and Vietnam
(28.6 % of samples) (Figure 5.1).
123
5.3.5 Malachite green (MG)
The detection limit for the malachite green ELISA was 0.08 ppb in fish and shrimp. Cross
reactivity of the antibody with MG is 100 %. In 2017, 15 samples were above or near detection
limits, so they were rerun in 2018, including a solvent control and using the high background
extraction method. In 2018, MG residue was detected in 2 out of 42 sample (4.8 %) and residue
ranged from 1.6 to > 4.5 ppb (Table 5.2). Shrimp which had malachite green residue were imported
from Vietnam and Indonesia. Previous work found malachite green was also detected in the tissue
of rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon and it was reported that fish tissue can accumulate persistent
amount of residue from MG (Srivastava et al., 2004).
5.3.6 Overall findings
In this experiment, shrimp from 7 countries: Vietnam, Thailand, India, China, Indonesia, Equador
and Bangladesh were tested for antimicrobial residue. In the year 2017, USA imported around 43
% shrimp from India and Vietnam (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2017). The rejection rate
of Indian and Vietnamese shrimp by FDA was higher due to the presence of antibiotic residue. In
the year 2017, 47 shrimp lines were rejected for banned antibiotics and countries were Vietnam
(12), India (12), China (11), Thailand (7) and Hong Kong (1) (U.S. Food and Drug Administration,
2017). From 2002 to 2018, every year shrimp entry lines were rejected by FDA due to presence of
antimicrobial drugs and highest rejection was in 2015 (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2018a)
and rejected entry lines were mostly from Vietnam, India, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, and
Bangladesh.
124
Although the most widely used antibiotics are OTC, in this study, only 3 samples were positive
for OTC and those shrimp sample were from Thailand and China. In the current results, not only
OTC residue, banned antimicrobial drugs residue of nitrofurantoin and fluoroquinolone were also
detected in Thailand shrimp. In 2002 and 2003, European Union detected nitrofuran metabolites
in Thailand originated shrimp (Tittlemier et al., 2007).
China shrimp was only positive for NIT drugs and these findings is similar with the previous
reports. In the first quarter of 2018, 5 shipments were refused out of the 135 of total seafood entry
lines where shrimp contained banned antibiotics, and those five shipments were all from China
(U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2018a) and uses of nitrofuran, CAP and OTC in Chinese
aquaculture were also reported (Liu et al., 2017). In China, not only are antibiotics used in shrimp
farming, but farming areas and water sources are not good. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency
also listed one firm of China in the mandatory inspection list for testing the presence of
fluoroquinolone (Gale et. al, 2016).
Bangladesh shrimp were positive for NIT. In January, 2018, Bangladesh shrimp were rejected due
to presence of nitrofurans and rejection was also reported during May 2018 (U.S. Food and Drug
Administration, 2018a).
In this research, NIT and FQ were also present in Vietnam and India shrimp and no OTC and CAP
were found in those countries’ shrimp. Thuy and Loan, (2011) reported antibiotics that are most
commonly used in shrimp farming in Vietnam are fluoroquinolones, oxytetracyclines,
sulfonamides, and diaminopyramidinies, and shrimp are regularly checked for antibiotic residue
125
by the authorities for controlling of antibiotic usage. In Vietnam antibiotic residues were found in
surrounding environments of shrimp ponds including norfloxacin, oxolinic acid, sulfamethoxazole
and trimethoprim (Thuy and Loan, 2011). Chloramphenicol also was used in shrimp farming in
northern Vietnam (Chi et al., 2017) although in the present study chloramphenicol was absent in
Vietnam originated shrimp.
In this research, with NIT, MG, FQ and OTC detected, sometimes more than one antibiotic was
present in the same shrimp sample (e.g. FQ and NIT were present in Thailand, India and Vietnam
originated shrimp samples (Table 5.2). Presence of residue in shrimp indicate that i) shrimp
farming countries do not maintain regulation for banned antibiotics, ii) farms do not maintain dose
and withdrawal time for approved antibiotics like oxytetracycline and iii) exporting and importing
country’s checking is not sufficient as residue was found in shrimp that were already in the USA
market. Proper steps need to be taken by importing countries to change their common practices of
using antimicrobial drugs in shrimp farming. It can be done by the exporting governments to
strictly prohibit the sale of banned antibiotics, give training to shrimp farmers for improving
awareness and try to use alternative of antibiotics. Importing countries need to improve the
checking facility of seafood consignments before entering.
5.4 Conclusions
The objective of this research was to detect if any imported shrimp available in the US market had
specific antimicrobial drug residue. This study is useful to evaluate the effectiveness of present
seafood testing system during entrance to USA. Imported shrimp were purchased from retail stores
in Baton Rouge. The presence of antimicrobial drug residue (oxytetracycline, nitrofurantoin,
chloramphenicol, fluoroquinolone and malachite green) was tested for using ELISA test kit. For
126
antibiotic residue test, 30 were positive for nitrofurantoin, 1 for malachite green, 1 for
oxytetracycline, and 7 for fluoroquinolone out of 42 samples. No sample contained
chloramphenicol residue. These drug residues can negatively affect human health. Results of this
study confirmed that antimicrobial residue is present in imported shrimp sold in the USA. Further
testing is needed for other farm raised imported seafood products for maintaining consumer safety.
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CHAPTER 6. ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANT BACTERIA IN SHRIMP AND SHRIMP
FARM SOIL
6.1 Introduction
Shrimp is very popular seafood worldwide from both open water and aquaculture. A serious
problem in shrimp aquaculture is diseases, one of the most important challenges facing the shrimp
industry (Holmstrom et al., 2003). Vibrio spp. are responsible for the majority of infections in
shrimp farms (Roque et al., 2001). For the prevention of bacterial disease, antibiotics and
antimicrobial drugs are frequently used. Globally, commonly used antibiotics are cyclines
(oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, tetracyclines), quinolones (enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin,
oxolinic acid (OXLA), ofloxacin, norfloxacin (NFXC)), sulfonamides (sulfamethoxazole (SMX),
sulfamethazine), erythromycin, chloramphenicol, florfenicol, sarafloxacin, perfloxacin,
gentamycin, trimethoprim (TMP), nitrofuran, tiamulin, furazolidon, and ampicillin (Roque et al.,
2001; Holmstrom et al., 2003, Soto-Rodríguez et al., 2006). The overuse of antibiotics creates
different detrimental effects such as an increased likelihood of the antibiotic spreading into the
environment, development of antibiotic resistant bacteria, and residue present in seafood (Binh et
al., 2018; Done and Halden, 2015). It is reported that extensive use of antibiotics leads to the
development of drug-resistant bacteria (Le et al. 2005). In Thailand, antibiotic use among fish
farm may have caused the development of an antibiotic-resistant bacterial strain (Holmström et
al., 2003). Incidence of antibiotic resistant bacteria are very dangerous for shrimp farms as well as
the aquatic environment. According to the World Health Organization, antibiotic resistance is
considered one of the important problems for human health (Bassetti et al., 2011). The most
dangerous threat of drug-resistant bacteria in an aquatic environment is the potential transfer of a
drug-resistant strain from the aquatic environment to the land and affecting humans. The resistant
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bacterial strain can also be transferred to the human body through ingestion of seafood which
contain the resistant bacteria (Gräslund and Bengtsson, 2001).
Antibiotics are generally applied with feed. Antibiotic residue has been found in aquaculture farm
sediment several months after administration (Le et al., 2005). Antibiotics used to target specific
organisms can also enter the environment due to water discharge and cause harm to the ecosystem
(Thuy and Loan, 2011). Many antimicrobials, including both banned and approved, can be toxic
for wild organisms and algae (Ferreira et al., 2007). In Vietnam, high concentrations of oxolinic
acid, norfloxacin, trimethoprim, and sulfamethoxazole were found in sediments of mangrove-
based shrimp farms (Le et al., 2005). Trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole, erythromycin and
lincomycin are already classified as pollutants due to their negative impact on ecosystem (Thuy
and Loan, 2011). Single or multiple antibiotic resistance can develop (McPhearson et al., 1991).
Antibiotic resistant Vibrio and Bacillus bacteria were found in Thailand shrimp farms, and the
bacteria were primarily resistant to trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Le et al., 2005).
Oxytetracycline resistant Vibrio harveyi bacteria in shrimp has also reported (Abraham et al.,
1997). Antibiotic resistant bacteria also have been found in shrimp farms in Vietnam and the
Philippines (Le et al., 2005; Tendencia et al., 2001; Bermúdez-Almada, 2012).
In Bangladesh, most of the shrimp are aquacultured. It is reported that in Bangladesh around 70 %
of pathogenic bacteria are resistant to at least one commonly used antibiotic (Jilani et al., 2008).
Bacteria isolated from export quality shrimp were resistant to several selective antibiotics (Ahmed
et al, 2013). Bacteria from shrimp farm water has also been found to be resistant to ampicillin and
tetracyclines (Neela et al., 2013). Around 14 branded antibiotics are used in shrimp farms in
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Bangladesh (Shamsuzzaman and Biswas, 2012). While some are no longer used, their extensive
use for years increases the probability of incidence of bacterial resistance to more antibiotics
besides previously reported. The goal of our study is to determine if antibiotic resistant bacteria is
present in shrimp or shrimp farm soil of Bagherhat district, Bangladesh.
6.2 Methods
6.2.1 Sources of sample
Soil was collected from an Asian tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) farm and giant freshwater
prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) farm for the isolation of bacteria and antibiotic sensitivity
test. Shrimp (M. rosenbergii) were also collected from the farm. All samples were collected from
shrimp farms in Bagherhat, Khulna, Bangladesh during spring 2018. Three separate replicates of
P. monodon soil, M. rosenbergii and M. rosenbergii tissue were tested (Table 6.1). All samples
were collected aseptically and kept under cold condition, but with no direct contact with ice.
After collecting, samples were stored at -20 °C, and before testing, samples were thawed at 2-5
°C. The experiment was performed in the Department of Biotechnology, Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) Bangladesh. From each replicate (n=3), 3
samples were randomly taken for testing. For shrimp, a whole shrimp represented a sample. For
the isolation of bacteria, XLD agar and TCBS agar were used.
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6.2.2 Isolation of Bacteria
6.2.2.1 Isolation of Salmonella
Salmonella testing followed the standard Bacteriological Analytical Manual (Andrews et al.,
2000). Aseptically, a 25 g shrimp sample was homogenized by sterile mortar and pestle and mixed
with sterile 225 ml lactose broth (Himedia-M1003) in a sterile wide-mouth laboratory bottle (500
ml). For soil, a 1 g soil sample was mixed with 10 ml lactose broth in a 15ml test tube and vortexed.
Solutions were prepared up to a 10-4 dilution. The shrimp and soil sample were allowed to incubate
for 60 ± 5 min at room temperature (25°C). The sample solution was mixed well by swirling, and
pH was determined by pH meter. The pH was adjusted to 6.8 ± 0.2. Then the bottle and test tube
were placed in the incubator and incubate 24 ± 2 h at 35°C. After incubation, 0.1 ml mixture was
added to 10 ml Rappaport-Vassiliadis (RV) medium and vortexed. RV medium was incubated in
a water bath at 42 ± 0.2°C for 24 ± 2 h. Then 1 ml of RV broth was spread by L shaped glass rod
on XLD (xylose lysine desoxycholate) agar (Himedia-M031) and incubated at 35°C for 24 hours.
After incubation, petri dishes were examined for the presence of salmonella colonies (pink
colonies with or without black centers, complete black colonies). The susceptive colonies were
streaked on nutrient agar to isolate a single colony or pure culture. Incubation of the nutrient agar
(NA) petridish was done for 24 ± 2 h at 35°C. The colonies from NA were inoculated in TSI (triple
sugar iron agar, Himedia-M021) slants and streaked and stabbed into LIA (lysine iron agar,
Himedia-M377) slants and incubated at 35°C for 24 hours. In TSI slants, susceptive colonies cause
a red color in slants and yellow color in butt. In LIA slants, susceptive colonies result in a purple
color. For confirmation test of any color reactions indicating Salmonella, a molecular identification
test was done. Molecular identification test was done by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Pure
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cultures were kept in nutrient broth with 10 % glycerol and stored in -20°C until molecular
identification.
6.2.2.2 Isolation of Vibrio spp.
Vibrio determination followed the Bacteriological Analytical Manual (Kaysner and Jr., 2004).
Aseptically a 25 g shrimp sample was homogenized by sterile mortar and pestle and mixed with
sterile 225 ml alkaline peptone water (Himedia-M618) in a sterile wide-mouth laboratory bottle
(500 ml). For soil samples, a 1 g soil sample was mixed with 10 ml alkaline peptone water in a
15ml test tube and vortexed. The homogenized mixture was placed in the incubator and incubated
for 24 ± 2 h at 35°C. Around 1 ml of solution was taken from the surface of the solution and
spread by L shaped glass rod on Thiosulfate-citrate-bile salts-sucrose (TCBS) agar (Himedia-
M189). Incubation of the TCBS petri dish was done for 24 h at 35°±2°C. After incubation, petri
dishes were examined for the presence of susceptive Vibrio colonies. On TCBS agar typical
colonies of Vibrio show yellow, blue-green, greenish and yellow color. The pure culture of each
susceptive colony was isolated by streak plate method first on TCBS agar and then on nutrient
agar. For confirmation test, a molecular identification test was done. Molecular identification test
was done by PCR. Pure cultures were kept in nutrient broth with 10% glycerol and stored in -20°C
until molecular identification.
6.2.2.3 Isolation of E. coli
E. coli determination followed petrifilm method (3M™ Petrifilm™ E. coli). Aseptically, a 25 g
sample homogenized by sterile mortar and pestle and mixed with 225 ml sterile phosphate buffered
saline and 1 g soil sample was mixed with 10 ml alkaline peptone water in a 15ml test tube and
vortexed. Solutions were prepared up to 10-4 dilution. The petrifilm were placed on level surface.
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One ml diluted sample was placed on middle of the petrifilm. The lid of the film was closed, and
the 3M petrifilm spreader was placed on the petrifilm top over the inoculum to spread properly.
After a minimum 1 min. wait for the gel to solidify, the petrifilm was incubated at 36°C ± 2°C for
24 hours. In a petrifilm, after incubation, blue colonies with gas indicate E. coli and red and blue
colonies with gas indicate total coliform. The pure culture of each susceptive colony were done by
streak plate method on nutrient agar. For confirmation test, a molecular identification test (PCR)
was done. Pure cultures were kept in nutrient broth with 10% glycerol and stored in -20°C until
molecular identification.
6.2.3 Oxidase test
A full loop of NNNN-tetraethyl-p-phenylene di-amine dihydrochloride (Research-lab) was added
with 3ml of sterile distilled water. A sterile filter paper was placed in a petridish and wetted with
few drops of prepared solution. Then bacterial colonies were smeared on the moist paper by a
platinum loop. The dark blue color indicate colonies were oxidase positive and colorless
appearance indicate negative reaction.
6.2.4 Molecular identification of bacteria
6.2.4.1 Isolation of genomic DNA
The susceptive bacterial colonies were taken from pure culture stock, inoculated into a nutrient
broth (Liofilchem) and incubated in a shaker incubator (120 rpm) at 28°C for 24-48 hours. After
incubation, bacterial colonies were used for genomic DNA extraction. GeneJET Genomic DNA
purification kit # K0721 (Thermo scientific) protocol were used for genomic DNA extraction.
Around 2 X 106 cell/ml were transferred to 1.5 ml Eppendorf and centrifuged for 10 min. at 5000
X g. The supernatant was discarded, and 180 µl digestion solution and 20 µl proteinase k solution
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were added to suspend the pellet. The suspended pellet was vortexed for uniform suspension.
Then suspended solutions were incubated in a shaking water bath at 56 °C for 30 min. After
incubation, 20 µl of RNase A solution were added, vortexed and incubated for 10 min. at room
temperature (25°C). Then 200 µl lysis solution were added and vortexed for 15 seconds. After that
400 µl of 50% ethanol was added, vortexed and prepared lysate were transferred to a GeneJET
DNA purification kit column inserted in a collection tube. Columns were centrifuged for 1 min at
6000 X g, and collection tube containing flow-through solution was discarded. Then GeneJET
DNA purification columns were placed into a new 2 ml collection tube. Next 500 µl of wash buffer
I (with ethanol) were added to the columns and centrifuged for 1 min. at 8000 X g. The flow
through collection were discarded, and purification columns were placed back into the collection
tube. Then 500 µl of wash buffer II (with ethanol) were added to the columns and centrifuged for
3 min. at 14000 X g. After centrifugation, collection tube containing flow-through solutions were
discarded, purification columns were placed to a 1.5 ml sterile microcentrifuge tube and 200 µl of
elution buffer were added to the center of the purification column to elute genomic DNA. Then
columns were incubated for 2 min. at room temperature (25 °C) and centrifuged for 1 min. at 8000
X g. Then the purification column were discarded, and purified DNA were used for next step.
6.2.4.2 DNA quality measurement by gel electrophoresis
Electrophoresis was used for checking the DNA quality by comparing with the 1 Kb plus DNA
ladder marker (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA). One µl loading dye and 5 µl DNA samples were
transferred to 1.5 ml Eppendorf, mixed by pipetting and homogenized mixed samples were then
loaded into the well. Around 6 µl 1 Kb plus DNA ladder marker were also added to the well near
the samples. Next, 0.5 X TBE buffer was added to the chamber. The electric current ran for 45
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min. at 70 volts (Biometra electrophoresis power supply). Then the gel was transferred to the gel
documentation system, and DNA band was observed under the UV light (UVDI, Major Science).
6.2.4.3 Amplification by PCR
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with universal primer sets was used (Table 6.2) for
amplification. The concentration of PCR mixture is given in Table 6.3. The PCR thermocycler
(2720 thermal cycler, Applied Biosystems) was used for amplification. The thermal profile of PCR
was: initial dilution step was set up for 5 min. at 94°C, denaturation step of 35 cycles was set up
at 94 °C for 1 min., annealing for 40 s. at 57 °C, extension step set up was for 1 min. at 72 °C and
final extension step was set up for 10 min. at 72 °C.
For agarose gel electrophoresis, around 5 µl of the PCR amplicons were mixed with 1 µl of 6 X
loading dye and loaded into 1.5% agarose gel with 1 Kb plus ladder marker. Then 0.5 X TBE
buffer was added to the chamber, and the electric current was run for 45 min. at 70 volts. The
amplicons were visualized under the UV light by gel documentation system (UVDI, Major
Science).
6.2.4.4 Purification of PCR sample
The PCR product was purified by using a commercial PCR Purification Kit (Thermo Scientific
GeneJET PCR Purification Kit #K0701). First, binding buffer was added to the completed PCR
mixture at 1:1 volume and vortexed. Then the solution was transferred to the GeneJET purification
column, centrifuged for 60 s. at 14000 X g and the flow-through was discarded. Then 700 µl of
Wash Buffer (diluted with the ethanol) was added to the GeneJET purification column, centrifuged
for 60 s. at 14000 X g, the flow-through was discarded and the column was placed back into the
same collection tube. The empty GeneJET purification column was centrifuged at 14000 X g for
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an additional 1 min. to completely remove any residual wash buffer. The GeneJET purification
column was transferred to a clean 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tube and 30 μl of elution buffer was
added to the center of the GeneJET purification column membrane and centrifuged for 1 min. at
14000 X g to elute DNA. Finally, the GeneJET purification column was discarded and the purified
PCR product stored at -20 °C for further use.
6.2.4.4 DNA sequencing of isolated bacteria
The purified PCR products with sequencing primer were sent to National Institute of
Biotechnology, Savar, Dhaka for sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. After getting sequencing
result, they were searched using BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) at the National
Center for Biotechnology Information website (NCBI, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/).
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Table. 6.1. Primer sequence used for PCR amplification
Table 6.2. The concentration of PCR mixture
Sl No. Reagents Concentration Final volume
(100 µl)
9. 25mM MgCl2 (Thermo Fisher Scientific) 1.5 mM 6
10. Reaction buffer(Thermo Fisher Scientific) 1 X 10
11. 10mM dNTP(Thermo Fisher Scientific) 200 µM each dNTP 2
12. F primer (Macrogen Korea) 0.1-1.0 µM 3
13. R primer(Macrogen Korea) 0.1-1.0 µM 3
14. DNA template 100ng/100 µl 5
15. Taq polymerase(Thermo Fisher Scientific) 0.05 U 1
16. Sterile deionized water 70
Primers Sequences(5’-3’) Primer size
(bp)
GC content (%) PCR
amplification
size (bp)
8F AGAGTTTGATCCTGGCTCAG 20 50.0% 1484
1492R GGTTACCTTGTTACGACTT 19 42.11%
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6.2.5 Antibiotic resistance test
The sensitivity of the isolated bacteria (n=38) to different commercial antibiotics was determined
by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method (Hudzicki, 2009). The commonly used antibiotics in shrimp
farming were are tetracycline, fluoroquinolones, sulfonomides, diaminopyramidins, amoxicillin
etc. (Holmström et al., 2003 ; Thuy et al., 2011; Mostafa and Kumar , 2012). In this study,
antibiotics commonly used and important for human medicine were selected (Albuquerque et al.,
2015). Eleven antibiotics were used: Ampicillin (25 µg/disc), Gentamycin (10 µg/ disc),
Chloramphenicol (10 µg/ disc), Oxytetracycline (30 µg/ disc), Nitrofurantoin (300 µg/ disc),
Levofloxacin (5 µg/ disc), Ciprofloxacin (5 µg/ disc), Azithromycin (30 µg/ disc), Vancomycin
(30 µg/ disc), Polymixin B (100 IU) and Co-trimoxazole (25 mcg/ disc).
Isolated bacteria were taken from stock, inoculated into the nutrient broth and incubated at 35 °C
for 16-18 h. The visual density of the broth was compared with 0.5 Mcfarland standard. Around
30 μl of broth of individual isolates were spread on iso sensitive agar media (Micro Master) by a
sterile "L" shaped glass rod. Then the 11 commercially prepared discs (Liofilchem, Italy and
Himedia, India) were placed on the agar plate by a sterile forceps, pressed mildly, and incubated
at 35 °C for 16 to 18 h. After incubation, the zone around disc was measured. No zone indicated
the resistance of bacteria and a clear zone of inhibition around disc indicated that bacteria was
sensitive to the antibiotic. An established measuring scale was used for the measurement of the
diameter of the zone (Table 6.3) (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, 2018). Each sample
was run in duplicate. If any antibiotics showed resistant to bacteria, that batch was retested again
for confirmation.
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6.3 Result and Discussion
6.3.1 Isolated bacteria
No Vibrio spp., Salmonella spp., and E. coli were obtained from TCBS, XLD agar and 3M
petrifilm. The yellow colonies from TCBS agar were Proteus pennari, and the green colony was
Morganella morganii. On XLD, during primary isolation very few black/ grey colonies were found
from M. rosenbergii farm soil and after sequencing, it was identified as Plesiomonas shigelloides.
On petrifilm, red colonies with bubbles were found from M. rosenbergii flesh and after sequencing,
it was identified as Enterobacter cloacae. The P. pennari and M. morganii were found from M.
rosenbergii flesh, M. rosenbergii farm soil, P. pennari found only in P. monodon farm soil and P.
shigelloides and E. cloacae found only in M. rosenbergii flesh (Table 6.4).
Proteus pennari is included in the Enterobacteriaceae family and it is an invasive pathogen
(Kishore, 2012, Hickman et al., 1982). Proteus spp. create disease in fish such as Channa
punctatus (Mandal et al. 2002), Rana catasbeiana (Shu et al. 1997) and Silurus meridionalis (Cao
et al. 2007). The P. pennari is considered a destructive pathogen for farmed shrimp and responsible
for creating red body disease outbreak (Cao et al., 2014). The P. pennari was isolated from red
body disease infected P. vennami shrimp in China (Cao et al., 2014). The shrimp farming industry
in India, China, Philippines and other Southeast and East Asiana country had large economic losses
due to red body disease of shrimp (Cao et al., 2015). In addition to P. pennari, V. alginolyticus and
V. parahaemolyticus are responsible for causing red body disease of P. vennami species (Cao et
al., 2014). Not only a problem in shrimp, P. pennari is capable of causing infectious diseases in
humans such as subcutaneous abscess and human bacteremia (Kaistha et al. 2011; Kishore 2012).
It is believed that the urease enzyme of P. pennari can be responsible for kidney stone formation
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(Krajden et al., 1984). In this research, both P. monodon pond soil, M. rosenbergii farm soil, and
M. rosenbergii flesh contained P. pennari. Isolated P. pennari was detected from penead shrimp
in Turkey (Matyar, 2017).
M. morganii is a gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract
of humans and as a natural flora in vertebrate animals (O'Hara et al., 2000). M. morganii possesses
histamine decarboxylase and is able to produce histamine when fish are stored at warmer than 4°C
(Hungerford, 2010; Stratton and Taylor, 1991). In a fish sample, M. morganii produces putrescine
(Hungerford, 2010), and the amount of putrescine increases in shrimp during decomposition
(Benner et al., 2004). M. morganii is responsible for shrimp spoilage, and M. morganii was isolated
from ready to eat frozen shrimp in Mississippi, USA (Duran and Marshall, 2005). In Florida, USA,
M. morganii was also found in L. setiferus and L. brasiliensis at at 24°C and 36°C (Benner et al.,
2004). Additionally, M. morganii is responsible for neonatal sepsis (Salen and Eppes, 1997). In
Saudi Arabia, M. morganii was isolated from prawns sold at retail markets (Al Shabeeb et al.,
2016).
P. shigelloides is within the Enterobacteriaceae family and can be found in freshwater as well as
estuarine environments (Janda et al., 2016). P. shigelloides is responsible for gastroenteritis, eye
infection, septicemia, and central nervous system disease in humans (Janda et al., 2016). In
Australia, P. shigelloides was found in both wild and farmed banana shrimp Penaeus merguiensis
(Oxley et al., 2002). In this research, this bacteria was only found in M. rosoenbergii soil and not
in shrimp. In Istanbul P. shigelloides was not found in shrimp collected from the retail shop
(Kahraman et al., 2017). As P. shigelloides was found in the soil, it is possible for this bacteria to
transfer from soil to shrimp flesh.
144
Table. 6.3. Number and source of isolated species found from fam soil and shrimp
Enterobacter cloacae is gram negative bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family and considered
as opportunistic pathogens responsible for nosocomial infection (Davin-Regli, 2015). Shrimp
imported to Canada from Southeast Asia were tested and carbapenem resistant E. cloacae
(Vietnam origin) were found (Janecko et al., 2016).
The salinity requirement of adult P. monodon varies, and the ranges is 2-30 ppt (FAO, 2005)
where M. rosenbergii can tolerate salinity up to 0 to 25 ppt (Chand et al., 2015). The 30 ppt
equivalent to 3 %, so P. shigelloides, P. pennari and M. morganii may can easily grow both in
freshwater and brackish water. P. shigelloides is found both in freshwater and saline water
(Farmer et al., 1997). In cold condition P. shigelloides was found in freshwater (Krovacek et al.,
Source Species Isolates Batches Found
(out of 3)
M. rosenbergii soil P. pennari 7 3
M. morganii 6 3
E. cloacae 0 0
P. shegelloides 1 1
M. rosenbergii
shrimp
P. pennari 8 3
M. morganii 4 3
E. cloacae 3 1
P. shegelloides 0 0
P. monodon soil P. pennari 12 3
M. morganii 0 0
E. cloacae 0 0
P. shigelloides 0 0
145
2000) and growth slowed down when salinity was more than 3.5 %. In laboratory condition, P.
shigelloides can grow up to at 3% salinity in trypton broth but in trypticase soy broth grow up to
at 5% salinity (Miller and Koburger, 1986). Proteus pennari can grow in up to 8.5% salt
concentration, but it cannot grow in 10% salt (Mansouri and Pahlavanzadeh, 2009).
6.3.2 Antibiotic resistance
P. pennari, E. cloacae and M. morganii were resistant to ampicillin and P. shigelloides sensitive
to ampicillin. However, the species P. pennari and M. morganii are inherently resistant to
ampicillin (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, 2018) (Table 6.3). Ampicillin is used for
the treatment of infection of the respiratory tract, skin and urinary tract (Duran and Marshall,
2005). For shrimp culture, red body disease caused by P. pennari in shrimp cannot be treated with
ampicillin .
In this research, most of the bacteria were susceptible to ciprofloxacin. However, one isolate of
M. morganii was resistant to ciprofloxacin, and one isolate of P. pennari was in the intermediate
range. Ciprofloxacin is the metabolite of enrofloxacin, widely used in shrimp farming and used for
the control of gram-negative bacteria including enteric pathogens like Pseudomonas and in some
case also control gram-positive bacteria (Bermúdez-Almada and Espinosa-Plascencia, 2012).
In M. rosenbergii soil, P. pennari and M. morganii were sensitive to gentamicin, but P.
shigelloides was resistant to Gentamicin. A few P. pennari isolates from M. rosenbergii shrimp
and P. monodon soil were resistant to gentamicin (Table 6.5). Some M. morganii were in the
intermediate zone. As P. shigelloides is a foodborne pathogen, resistant of this pathogen to
146
gentamicin can cause severe effects. Farmers used norfloxacin and gentamycin for the partial
control of Proteus infection (Zhang et al., 2005; Cao et al 2007). So, resistant developed for
gentamicin is problematic for disease control.
According to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (2018), P. pennari and M. morganii both
are intrinsically resistant for nitrofurantoin. The observed sensitivity could be the result of different
strains. Nitrofurantoin is banned for use due to being a carcinogenic agent, but it is still used in
shrimp farming illegally. In the past, many consignments of shrimp and prawn from Bangladesh
were rejected by USA and European Commission because of the presence of nitrofuran drugs
(Shamsuzzaman and Biswas, 2012). Shrimp shipments from China, India, United Arab Emirates,
Malaysia, Canada and Bangladesh were rejected by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
several times even in 2018, due to presence of nitrofuran (U.S. Food and Drug Administration,
2018a). One isolates of E. cloacae showed resistance to nitrofurantoin.
Like nitrofurantoin, P. pennari and M. morganii are intrinsically resistant to polymixin B (Clinical
and Laboratory Standards Institute, 2018) . Some strains of P. pennari isolated from P. monodon
farm soil and M. rosenbergii resistant to polymixin B. No guidelines about senitivity or resistance
of enterobacterioceae for polymyxin B was given in CLSI or EUCAST (Bakthavatchalam et al.,
2017).
In this study, oxytetracycline also very effective for P. pennari, M. morganii, and P. shegelloides
even though P. pennari is naturally also resistant for tetracycline (Clinical and Laboratory
Standards Institute, 2018). Only few strain of M. morganii isolated from M. rosenbergii shown
147
intermediate zone, and a strain of E. cloacae showed resistant characteristics for oxytetracycline
(Table 6.5). Oxytetracycline is the most widely used antibiotic in shrimp farming, and this may be
due to its effectiveness. The incidence of resistance to oxytetracycline is increasing and three strain
of Vibrio alginolyticus were shown intermediate zone for tetracyclines (Duran and Marshall,
2005). As oxytetracycline is used widely in shrimp farming, a bacteria strain being in intermediat
and resistance zone is not surprising. In 2017, use of oxytetracycline as a growth promotor was
banned by FDA (Granados-Chinchilla and Rodríguez, 2017).
Bacteria from M. rosenbergii soil was sensitive to another banned substance, chloramphenicol, but
some isolates of bacteria from shrimp of same the pond and P. monodon soil were resistant or
intermediate for chloramphenicol. Chloramphenicol is active against both gram positive and gram
negative bacteria (Duran and Marshall, 2005). All strain of E. cloacae were also resistant for
chloramphenicol. This indicates that although there is a strict regulation against using
chloramphenicol, due to overuse in Bangladesh shrimp farming, bacteria have become resistant.
148
Table 6.4. Antibiotic sensitivity reference table adapted from CLSI 2018
Antibiotics Disc
content
Zone diameter (mm)
Susceptible (S) Intermediate (I) Resistant (R)
Ampicillina 10 µg ≥ 17 14-16 ≤ 13
Ciprofloxacina 5 µg ≥ 21 16–20 ≤ 15
Gentamycina 10 µg ≥ 15 13–14 ≤ 12
Nitrofurantoina 300 µg ≥ 17 15–16 ≤ 14
Polymixin B No guideline given by CLSI and Eucast for enterobacterioceae
(Bakthavatchalam et al., 2017 )
Levofloxacina 5 µg ≥ 17 14–16 ≤ 13
Chloramphenicola 30 µg ≥ 18 13–17 ≤ 12
Tetracyclinea 30 µg ≥ 15 12–14 ≤ 11
Vancomycinb 30 µg ≥17 15-16 ≤14
Azithromycina 15 µg ≥ 13 - ≤ 12
Trimethoprima 5 µg ≥ 16 11–15 ≤ 10
*a= Zone diameter range for enterobactreioceae by CLSI 2018
*b= Zone diameter range by CLSI 2018 for Enterococcus spp, Streptococcus spp.
149
Table 6.5. The zone diameter (mm) of the bacteria isolated soil or shrimp. Bold values represent Resistant levels and Underlined values represent
Intermediate levels.
Source Species Zone
Diameter AMP* CIP* CN* N* PB* LEV* C* OXT* VA* AZT*
COT*
M.
rosenbergii
soil
M. morganii High 10 43.3 20.6 28.3 18.3 39.3 36.6 36.3 12 33
41.6
Low 0 33.3 15 17 10.3 28.6 25.3 16.6 0 0 29.3
P. pennari High 10 45.6 19 30 21.3 45.3 37.3 37.3 16.6 22 36.3
Low 0 36 15.33 15.6 10 26 18.3 14.6 0 0 30.3
P.
shegelloides 21 54.3 12 21 20 49 32.6 35 12 25.6
39.6
M.
rosenbergii
shrimp
M. morganii High 10 41.6 17.6 27.6 20.6 37.5 38.6 37.3 14.3 25.6
32.3
Low 0 15 13.6 17.3 16 9 10 11.3 11.6 9 20.6
P. pennari High 12 38.6 17.3 27.3 20.3 34.6 27.6 29.6 10 24.3 31.6
Low 0 17.6 0 14.6 0 17 0 19 0 0 26
E. cloacae
High
0 30 17 20 20 28 10 24 0 22
13
Low 0 27 15 0 18 22 0 0 0 12 10
P. monodon
soil P. pennari High 13 47 19.6 30 20 37.6 36 36 18.3 16.6
36
Low 0 20.3 8 0 0 19 12.6 14.6 0 0 30.3
AMP= Ampicillin, CIP= Ciprofloxacin, CN=Gentamycin, N= Nitrofurantoin, PB=polymixin B, LEV= Levofloxacin, C= Chloramphenicol, OXT=
Oxytetracycline, VA=Vancomycin, AZT= Azithromycin, COT= Co-trimethoprim
150
Co-trimethoprim was effective for isolated bacteria from the soil and shrimp samples. In Vietnam,
bacteria isolated from shrimp farm mud sample shown resistant for trimethoprim (Le et al., 2005).
In Thailand, pathogenic Salmonella and V. cholerae was found to be resistant to trimethoprim
(Boonmar et al., 1998; Dalsgaard et al., 2000).
Vancomycin is known to be effective against gram-positive bacteria, but not gram-negative (Levy,
2001). However, the P. pennari, E. cloacae and M. morganii bacterial strains showed resistant to
vancomycin. Like vancomycin, azithromycin was also not effective for most of the P. pennari and
M. morganii bacterial strains. One shrimp sample showed resistance to Levofloxacin, but overall,
most of the isolates were sensitive to it (Table 6.5).
In the current research, no Salmonella was detected, but in January 2018 shrimp shipment was
rejected due to the presence of Salmonella spp (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2018b).
However, Salmonella contamination can occur after harvesting due to poor handling. We found
that multidrug-resistant bacteria were present in shrimp ponds and shrimp. There are very few
reports about the incidence as well as the resistance of P. pennari and M. morganii isolated from
shrimp farming. In most of the published reports, the common bacteria isolated from shrimp and
soil of shrimp farms of Vietnam and Thailand are Vibrio spp, Aeromonas, and Pseudomonas
(Bermúdez-Almada and Espinosa-Plascencia, 2012; Tendencia and de la Peña, 2001). In
Bangladesh, common bacteria are Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Enterobacter, and Pseudomonas
(Neela et al., 2013). However, in this research, no Vibrio spp. were found. If a farmer of
Bangladesh uses antibiotics targetting Vibrio, but the causative agent is different, the treatment
may not be effective and the disease left uncontrolled. Disease outbreaks in shrimp farming are
151
very common in Bangladesh (Faruque et al., 2008). Faruque et al. (2008) reported that most of the
farmers cannot recognize the actual disease. Failure to recognize the disease is another cause for
the development of antibiotic resistance as incorrect antibiotics are used. Result of this study
indicates that antibiotic resistance bacteria is present in Bangladesh shrimp farming.
6.4 Conclusions
For antibiotic resistance determination, the soil of a P. monodon farm, the soil of a M. rosenbergii
farm and M. rosenbergii shrimp were collected from Bagherhat, Khulna, Bangladesh. Four species
of bacteria were found: P. pennari, M. morganii, E. cloacae and P. shigelloides. Eleven antibiotics
were used for antibiotic resistance testing, and some bacterial strains were found to be resistant to
chloramphenicol, azithromycin, and vancomycin. Ciprofloxacin and co-trimethoprim were found
effective. The results of this experiment indicate that the Bangladesh shrimp farming industry
could face additional disease challenges due to the development of resistant bacterial strains.
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157
CHAPTER 7. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Worldwide, shrimp is one of the most consumed and traded seafood, and due to its high demand,
consumers depend on both wild caught and farmed products. A problem associated with both wild
caught and farmed shrimp is blackspot, or melanosis. To prevent blackspot, Sulfites, Everfresh ®
(Sulfite free) and Xyrex ® Prawnfresh ™ (Sulfite free) are used. The effect of these chemicals on
proximate composition, color, texture and total bacterial count was still unknown, and sulfites
present the potential problem of chemical residue over legal limits if used incorrectly. The presence
of pathogenic bacteria is another problem that might be present in wild and farmed shrimp due to
exposure in the environment or post-harvest handling. Additionally, in farmed shrimp, there is the
possibility of antimicrobial residue and antimicrobial resistant bacteria. Because disease is a
common problem in farmed shrimp, different types of antimicrobial drugs are used for treatment.
Use of unapproved drugs and the overuse of both approved and banned drugs creates problems
like antimicrobial residue as well as resistant bacterial strains. Due to the possible health, safety,
and quality concerns, the goals of this project were to (1) determine the effects of melanosis
prevention on proximate composition (moisture, ash, protein, and lipid), color (L*a*b*), texture
(hardness, resilience, springiness, and chewiness) and bacterial condition (total plate count) by
chemical, instrumental and microbiological analysis, (2) determine the Sulfite residue, (3)
determine if pathogenic bacteria is present on shrimp, (4) determine if antimicrobial drugs residue
were present in imported shrimp, and (5) detect if antimicrobial drug resistant bacterial strains are
present from farmed shrimp or shrimp farm soil.
Chapter 2 described the effect of Sulfite, Everfresh (Sulfite free) and Prawnfresh (Sulfite free) on
proximate composition (moisture, ash, protein, and lipid), color (L*a*b*), texture (hardness,
resilience, springiness, and chewiness) and bacterial condition (total plate count (TPC)) of shrimp
158
from Louisiana (Farfantepenaeus aztecus and Litopenaeus setiferus) and Bangladesh (Penaeus
monodon and Macrobrachium rosenbergii). There was no effect of Sulfite, Everfresh and
Prawnfresh on proximate composition and total plate count of all 4 types of shrimp. For TPC,
Sulfite and Everfresh always had the lowest TPC in each species, and species were significantly
different in terms of composition and TPC. M. rosenbergii had the highest TPC, and L. setiferus
had the lowest TPC. There was no effect of treatment on color, hardness, resilience and chewiness
(both F. aztecus and L. setiferus), but Sulfite treated F. aztecus showed a significant decrease
(p<0.05) on springiness compared to Everfresh treated shrimp. Results of this study indicate that
in terms of composition and aesthetic perceptions, melanosis treatments do not have any effect.
This is important as shrimp developing black spot are safe, but visually unappealing. Melanosis
prevention is important to reduce loss due to unacceptance. Additionally, while Sulfite-free shrimp
are preferred in some markets, a change in texture as a result of treatment would be a problem with
consumer acceptance.
In chapter 3, the sulfite residue of domestic (Louisiana, USA and Bangladesh) and imported
shrimp was determined. Four groups of shrimp were used for sulfite residue testing: positive
control shrimp from both countries, unknown Louisiana shrimp, unknown Bangladeshi shrimp,
and imported shrimp available in Louisiana. The Alert Sulfite detection kit (Neogen Corporation
product 9500) was used for the detection of sulfite residues in shrimp. Most of the shrimp tested
positive for sulfite residue, but they were within the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
limit (less than 100 ppm). However, FDA requires sulfite to be listed in the ingredient list if it is
an ingredient or used in the processing of the product. Sulfites were not listed on any of the 42
packages of imported shrimp. Information lacking about sulfites can create severe health problems
because metabisulfite can trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions in consumers. For
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hypersensitive asthmatics patients, small amount of sulfite can create life threatening conditions.
All shrimp were safe for consumption for those without a sulfite allergy with exception of one
individual shrimp from Thailand, which was over acceptable levels. However, the lack of sulfite
on the label for the imported shrimp is a problem. This suggesst that imported countries are not
maintaining FDA regulations, and routine checking at customs upon entry to the US is not
sufficient. FDA should be concerned about proper application of regulation especially checking
during entry to the United States (US) and an alert can be sent to processing plants of importing
countries about sulfite. Many shrimp rejection reports due to antibiotic residue and pathogenic
bacteria are available. However, rejection of shrimp shipments at customs due to unacceptable
level of sulfite (>100ppm) or without supplier certificate or presence of sulfite residue with no
label on the package is rare. Seafood authorities in the US and exporting countries should put more
of a focus on sulfite levels for consumer safety.
In chapter 4, the presence of pathogenic bacteria in Louisiana (Farfantepenaeus aztecus and
Litopenaeus setiferus) and Bangladesh (Penaeus monodon and Macrobrachium rosenbergii)
shrimp were determined. The goal was to test for Salmonella, Escherichia coli, total coliforms,
Vibrio cholera, V. vulnificus and Listeria monocytogenes. None of these bacteria were found in
wild caught F. aztecus and L. setiferus. V. fluvialis was found both in F. aztecus and L. setiferus,
and Pseudomonas luteola was found in 1 batch of F. aztecus. In Bangladesh, Salmonella, L.
monocytogenes and Vibrio spp. were not found in shrimp collected from the local market.
However, Eshcherichia coli, Proteus pennari, Enterobacter aerogenous, Enterococcus faecalis,
Eshcherichia fergusonii, Enterobacter xiangfangensis, Serratia marcescens and Aeromonas
dhakensis were found. These harmful bacteria found in Bangladeshi shrimp may be due to the
farm environment, poor handling during harvest or post-harvest, or unhygienic market conditions.
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The result of this study indicates that farmed shrimp in Bangladesh have more pathogenic bacteria
compared to wild caught shrimp in Louisiana. However, it is critical that all shrimp be handled
correctly from harvest to consumption, and proper hygiene practiced at all levels. Regulations
about good aquaculture practice (GAP) are already present in Bangladesh, but they are difficult to
implement and inspect. It should be started at the farm in the form of clean surroundings, water
from good sources, good sanitary conditions and consciousness development of farmer through
proper training. Rough handling is common during transportation from farm to market across
Bangladesh. Because many people are involved like farmers, intermediate handlers or faria, depots
owners, and retailers maintaining hygiene is critical. Handling from the farm to market need to be
reduced, good quality ice supply should be ensured, clean ice boxes are needed instead of basket
or pot, good infrastructure in the selling area or fish market, and finally increasing awareness of
cleanliness among farmers, transporters and sellers is needed. Proper laws and policies need to be
enforced and implemented to ensure food safety related to fish and shrimp.
In chapter 5, the presense of antimicrobial drug residue in imported shrimp purchased in Louisiana
was determined. Imported shrimp were purchased from retail stores in Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
The shrimp were tested for the presence of antimicrobial drug residue (oxytetracycline,
nitrofurantoin, chloramphenicol, fluoroquinolone and malachite green) using ELISA test kits. For
antimicrobial drug residue, 30 were positive for nitrofurantoin, 1 for malachite green, 1 for
oxytetracycline, and 7 for fluoroquinolone out of 42 samples. These imported shrimp with residue
originated from India, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, China and Ecuador. No samples contained
chloramphenicol residue. These drug residues can negatively affect human health. Results of this
study confirmed that antimicrobial residue is present in imported shrimp sold in the USA.
However, there is a zero tolerance policy on all of these substances on imported shrimp, but a very
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small portion of the imported market is directly inspected. The presence of this residue might be
due to Asian shrimp farming not following current regulations about drug use, residue in ponds
from previous applications, or improper checking of shrimp consignments before export. Proper
application of regulations both in importing and exporting countries is necessary. Further testing
is needed for farm raised seafood for ensure consumer food safety.
In Chapter 6, The presence of bacteria in farmed shrimp and farm soil was determined and then
the antibiotic resistance of this bacteria. In Bangladesh soil of shrimp farms and farmed shrimp M.
rosenbergii were tested to determine the presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria with eleven
antibiotics (Ampicillin (25 µg/disc), Gentamycin (10 µg/ disc), Chloramphenicol (10 µg/ disc),
Oxytetracycline (30 µg/ disc), Nitrofurantoin (300 µg/ disc), Levofloxacin (5 µg/ disc),
Ciprofloxacin (5 µg/ disc), Azithromycin (30 µg/ disc), Vancomycin (30 µg/ disc), Polymixin B
(100 IU) and Co-trimoxazole (25 mcg/ disc). Four species of bacteria were found: Proteus pennari,
Morganella morganii, Enterobacter cloacae and Plesiomonas shigelloides. Some bacterial strains
were found resistant to chloramphenicol, gentamycin, azithromycin, and vancomycins.
Ciprofloxacin, nitrofurantoin, oxytetracycline and co-trimethoprim were found effective. This is a
major problem for the shrimp farming industry and consumers.
P. pennari was detected, and this is not a common bacteria in shrimp farming in Bangladesh. P.
pennari is responsible for red body disease in shrimp, but Vibrio alginolyticus and V.
parahaemolyticus are also responsible for this disease. If a farmer uses antibiotics targetting
Vibrio, but the causative agent is different, the treatment may not be effective and the disease left
uncontrolled. Some strains of P. pennari were resistant to antbiotics so those specific antibiotics
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would not be effective treating red body disease. Identification of the causative agent and proper
selection of antibiotic is needed, and alternatives to these antibiotics should be researched. P.
pennari is capable of causing infectious disease such as subcutaneous abscess and human
bacteremia.
M. morganii and P. shigelloides were also resistant to some antibiotics. For consumer safety, the
presence of these pathogenic bacteria is a problem. M. morganii is responsible for neonatal sepsis,
and P. shigelloides is responsible for gastroenteritis, eye infections, septicemia, and central
nervous system disease in humans. M. morganii was resistant for azithromycin, which is a very
common antibiotic that Bangladesh doctors prescribe for respiratory infections, skin infections and
inflammatory disease. The presence of pathogenic bacteria and their resistance could be a severe
issue in the future for consumers of Bangladesh products. The shrimp farming industry should
think about alternative to antibiotics such as use of probiotics.
Melanosis is a strictly a cosmetic problem that can have economic concerns. Tested melanosis
prevention treatments did not affect the quality of the shrimp. Additionally, while sulfite abuse has
been known to occur in all shrimp producing countries, no shrimp tested were over the legal limit.
All shrimp were safe for consumption. The one potential hazard was that, while required, no
imported shrimp packaging included sulfites in the ingredients or anywhere on the label.
Alternatively, the bacterial, antimicrobial residue, and antimicrobial resistance results have large
potential health implications. Wild caught USA shrimp is comparatively better than Bangladesh
farmed shrimp based on the presence of fecal coliform bacteria. The bacteria found in USA shrimp
are naturally occurring in the environment, but bacteria found in Bangladesh shrimp were mostly
due to poor hygiene practices.
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Imported shrimp is also a problem from the perspective of antibiotics residue. The tested imported
shrimp was not safe for consumers in the USA and other importing countries due to banned
antibiotic residues. For exported shrimp, the exporting country take extra precaution, and only
HACCP (hazard analysis and critical control point) certified processing plants processes shrimp
due to existing law. However, besides those actions, presence of antibiotics points out that
identification of the source, types of antibiotics and applicable dose is necessary. Proper
implementation of traceability is needed and feed for shrimp farming also needs to be analyzed.
Drug companies might be adding antibiotics as a growth promoter. The presence of antimicrobial
resistant bacteria also highlights that antimicrobial and antibiotic use in shrimp farming is a
problem.
Based on the research findings, there are several suggestions to improve shrimp safety and quality
for consumers. First, the shrimp farming industry needs to create a policy and plan for solutions to
the problems. This policy will have one goal: not using antibiotics, implemented with short and
long term objectives. In the short term, an appropriate timeframe needs to be selected in which
only permitted antibiotics are used, proper doses of approved antimicrobials are applied, and a
prescribed system for selling of antibiotics can be used. The selected short-term time frame should
be determined with input from nonbiased scientists, environmentalists, farmers and processing
plant owners. Over the long-term, facilities at every level need to be educated including i) training
to the farmer about use of drug alternatives and waste water treatment; ii) shrimp pond water and
soil need to analysed on a regular basis (if any harmful microorganisms found to be antibiotic
resistant, culture in that pond need to stop); iii)alternatives for the prevention of disease should be
researched, identified, and used such as lower stocking density of shrimp, extensive culture, and
use of probiotics ; iv) governments need to take initiative to increase the consciousness about
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antibiotics and the impact to the environment by using a variety of media including advertisement
in television and newspaper; and v) the farmer and drug company pay ‘Green’ taxes if they use
antibiotics, special market permits are needed to sell those shrimp, and use of Eco-labeling can be
applied. Eventually, all types of antibiotics used in shrimp aquaculture should be banned.
Results of this study provide important information about the quality and safety of wild and farmed
shrimp. Hopefully these results will be helpful for researchers as well as shrimp consumers of all
over the world.
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VITA
Murshida Khan, was born in Pabna, Bangladesh. She grew up in Pabna, Bangladesh, attended
Pabna Govt. Girls’ High School and graduated from Shahid Bulbul Govt. College. Murshida
received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Fisheries from Bangladesh Agricultural University in
2008 and a Master of Science in Fisheries Technology from Bangladesh Agricultural University
in 2010. She worked as a teacher in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University
for 3 years before enrolling at Louisiana State University for her doctorate degree under the
direction of Dr. Julie Lively.