Microbiological quality of frozen black mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis, Lamarck, 1819) purchased from markets in the İzmir Province of Turkey

The purpose of this study was to examine the microbiological quality and consumer safety of frozen black mussels purchased from four different markets (A, B, C, D) in the İzmir Province of Turkey. A total of 36 frozen black mussel packages, which contained approximately 50 mussels in each, were purchased from the markets. They were not only examined for total mesophilic, psychrotrophic, coliform and fecal coliform bacteria count but also investigated for pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes and Vibrio spp. According to the results of the mesophilic bacteria counts, frozen black mussels did not exceed the microbiological limits set for safe consumption. The findings showed that frozen black mussels purchased from (A, B, C, D) of markets were safe for human consumption because pathogenic bacteria species such as E.coli, Salmonella spp., S. aureus, L. monocytogenes and Vibrio spp. were not present in the frozen mussel samples.