Microbiological Hazards in the Food Chain of the Asian Green Mussel (Perna viridis): A Review Focusing on Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Authors
Nodali Ndraha
b
,*
Abstract
The Asian green mussel (Perna viridis) is an important aquaculture species in the Indo-Pacific region and, as a filter-feeding bivalve, can accumulate microorganisms from surrounding waters, including foodborne pathogens. This review synthesizes evidence on the occurrence, persistence, and control of Vibrio parahaemolyticus associated with P. viridis, with emphasis on pre-harvest environmental determinants, post-harvest survival, and processing interventions. Peer-reviewed literature and regulatory sources published between 2000 and 2026 were evaluated to characterize factors influencing pathogen prevalence and persistence and to assess control measures. Available evidence indicates that V. parahaemolyticus is frequently detected in filter-feeding bivalves, including populations from Southeast Asia, where strains carrying the tdh and trh virulence-associated genes have been reported. Environmental conditions, particularly temperature, influence pathogen occurrence and post-harvest persistence. Biofilm formation and the viable but non-culturable state may further contribute to pathogen persistence and complicate detection and control. Quantitative microbial risk assessment studies indicate that temperature abuse during post-harvest handling and transportation can increase the predicted risk of illness. Although seawater depuration can reduce bacterial loads under defined conditions, its efficacy may be limited by pathogen localization and physiological state. Alternative interventions, including high-pressure processing and emerging biochemical approaches such as chitooligosaccharide–polyphenol conjugates, have demonstrated potential for reducing V. parahaemolyticus contamination, although their effectiveness in P. viridis requires further validation. Overall, the evidence supports an integrated risk-management approach combining environmental monitoring, temperature control, validated post-harvest interventions, and pathogen-specific microbiological criteria. Further studies should validate emerging interventions under processing-relevant conditions and assess their feasibility for controlling V. parahaemolyticus in bivalve seafood.
Keywords:
Perna viridis, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Microbial food safety, Bivalve aquaculture, Antimicrobial resistance, MicroplasticsReferences
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Data Availability Statement
No new data were created or analyzed in this study. Data sharing is not applicable to this article.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Fenny Crista Anastasia Panjaitan, Resti Nurmala Dewi, Nodali Ndraha
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