THE EFFECTS OF E-BEAM IRRADIATION ON EASTERN OYSTERS (CRASSOSTREA VIRGINICA) EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED WITH CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARVUM

Authors: COLLINS, MARINA - VA TECH,BLACKSBURG,VA; FLICK, GEORGE - VA TECH,BLACKSBURG,VA; LINDSAY, DAVID - VA TECH,BLACKSBURG,VA; FAYER, RONALD; SMITH, STEPHEN - VA-MD VET MED, VA TECH; JAHNCKE, MICHAEL - VA TECH,BLACKSBURG,VA; CROONENBERGHS, ROBERT - VA DEPT. OF HEALTH; O'KEEFE, SEAN - VA TECH,BLACKSBURG,VA

Submitted to: Institute of Food Technology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/18/2005
Publication Date: 9/15/2005
Citation: Collins, M., Flick, G., Lindsay, D., Fayer, R. 2005. The Effects of E-Beam Irradiation on Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) Experimentally Infected with Cryptosporidium parvum [abstract]. Institute of Food Technologists Nonthermal Processing Division Meeting, September 2005, Philadelphia, PA.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Shellfish have been identified as a potential source of Cryptosporidium infection for humans. The inactivation of C. parvum and other pathogens in raw molluscan shellfish would provide increased food safety for normal and at-risk consumers. The present study identified the efficacy an alternative food-processing treatment, e-beam irradiation, on the viability of C. parvum oocyts in Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Oysters were artificially infected with the Beltsville strain of C. parvum and subjected to e-beam and microwave treatments. The effects of the treatments were evaluated by inoculation of the processed oyster tissues using the neonatal mice assay. Significant reductions (P < 0.05) in infectivity were observed for in-shell and shucked oysters treated with e-beam irradiation doses of 1.0, 1.5 or 2 kGy. A dose of 2 kGy completely terminated C. parvum infectivity and did not adversely affect the visual appearance of the oysters. The FDA approved a petition on the application of irradiation for pathogen control in shellfish during the week of August 14, 2005.