Occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. in Seafood Collected from Wayanad, Kerala

Seaf Seafoods are prone to bacterial contamination and could cause health risk to consumers. The present study was aimed to detect the occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. in seafood collected from different retail markets in Kalpetta, Vythiri and Chundale areas of Wayanad district, Kerala. A total of 80 seafood samples (36 fish, 13 prawn, 08 squid, 11 crabs and 12 mussels) were screened by cultural method to isolate and identify L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. Molecular identification of isolates was carried out by Polymerase Chain Reaction P The results revealed that L. monocytogenes was recovered from six (7.5%) seafood samples three from fish, one each from prawn, squid and mussel, whereas Salmonella spp. was detected in four (5%) samples which included two from fish, one each from squid and mussel. Prevalence of L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. in raw seafood may pose health risk for consumers.