BACTERIAL-CONTAMINATION OF THE PACIFIC OYSTERS (CRASSOSTREA-GIGAS) CULTURED IN DEEP BAY, HONG-KONG

Oysters (Crassostrea gigas) cultured in Deep Bay, Hong Kong were exami ned for their bacterial contents from November 1989 to April 1990. Bac terial counts of Faecal coliform, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus faec alis and Salmonellae were high in the adductor muscles, gills, mantle and visceral portions of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas. It was found that most of the bacteria accumulated in the mantle and viscera l portions of the oyster. The maximum number of Faecal coliforms, Esch erichia coli, Streptococcus faecalis and Salmonellae were 61.03x10(5), 5.87x10(5), 13.97x10(5) and 21.62x10(5) cells g-1 of wet tissue respe ctively. Consumption of oysters collected from Deep Bay, if not well-c ooked, would be risky and detrimental to health.