Microbiological assays on edible seaweed Ulva lactuca (L.) cultured in outdoor tanks

In this study, microbiological analysis was performed on sun-dried Sea lettuce, Ulva lactuca (L.), cultured in outdoor seaweed tanks at Urla Marine Center of Ege University (Izmir, Turkey). A total of fi ve microbial assays were performed between March and April 2005. Standard microbiological methods were applied for micro organisms, such as Salmonella spp., coliform, fecal coliform and Vibriosis spp., was examined. Results of microbiological analysis showed that Salmonella spp. and fecal coliform were absent in the dried samples of U. lactuca and the total plate count, coliform, and Vibriosis spp. were 8.18 (± 0.37) ×104 cfu/g, 4.40 ( ± 4.72) cfu/g, and 4.80 ( ± 6.91) cfu/g, respectively. Since the total plate count and proportion of coliform , did not exceed the limits of the food quality standards, it was concluded that U. lactuca cultured in outdoor tanks and dried under the sun can be used as a raw material of food for animal and human consumption in Turkey.

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