SENSITIVITY OF OYSTERS (CRASSOSTERA BRASILIANA) TO RADIATION

S. R. Mattiolo Marchese1, N. L. Del Mastro2

1 Brazilian Navy Technology Center in Sao Paulo - CTMSP , Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2242 - Sao Paulo - SP - 05508-900 - Brazil,
2 Institute of Nuclear and Energy Researches IPEN-CNEN/SP Travessa R, 400 - Sao Paulo - SP - 05508-900 - Brazil


Various foods including oysters, crabs and shrimps have been shown to be possible transmitters of Vibrio spp. Irradiation of sea-foods is being considered an alternative to intervention measures in Public Health against food borne diseases. The aim of this work was to establish, the radiation resistance of the oysters Crassostrea brasiliana. The oysters were irradiated with Co-60 radiation with doses of 0, 1.5, 3 and 6 kGy. Survival curves as a function of time showed that 100% of the oysters irradiated with doses of 3 kGy survived at least 6 days. 100% those irradiated with 6 kGy survived 3 days. The obtained results are auspicious considering that a dose of 2 kGy is already effective in the diminishing of the microbial load on oysters.