Assessment of Microbial Contamination, Antibiotic Resistance in Enterobacter Species and Biofilm Formation in Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Lapseki Coast of the Çanakkale Strait (Türkiye)

Creative Commons License

Özcan Ateş G., Soyiç M. H., Hanedan Angı T.

TURKISH JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES, cilt.27, sa.2, ss.1-10, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

Özet

Global warming also impacts the aquatic ecosystem, leading to changes in the reproduction and development of both beneficial and harmful organisms. In 2021, a significant mucilage layer was observed in the straits, and mucilage formation recurred in 2022, though to a lesser extent. Global warming accelerates the growth and spread of pathogenic microorganisms and toxic microalgae, particularly in marine environments and among bivalve mollusks. Since humans consume bivalve mollusks, their infection with pathogenic microorganisms poses health risks that vary with the type of microorganism. Thus, monitoring microbiological contamination in these foods is essential. This study aimed to examine microbial contamination of mussels along the Lapseki coast of the Çanakkale Strait, considering the presence of mussel farms and naturally harvested and consumed mussels. The results showed high microbial counts, mold contamination, and the presence of antibiotic-resistant Enterobacter species in the collected samples. Some isolates have been determined to have the potential to produce broad-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL). Only one isolate was identified as a moderate producer of biofilm. These findings highlight the public health risks associated with mussels and underscore the need for environmental monitoring of antibiotic resistance.