Evaluation of postharvest-processed oysters by using PCR-based most-probable-number enumeration of Vibrio vulnificus bacteria.

Postharvest processing (PHP) is used to reduce levels of Vibrio vulnificus in oysters, but process validation is labor-intensive and expensive. Therefore, quantitative PCR was evaluated as a rapid confirmation method for most-probable-number enumeration (QPCR-MPN) of V. vulnificus bacteria in PHP oysters. QPCR-MPN showed excellent correlation (R(2) = 0.97) with standard MPN and increased assay sensitivity and efficiency.