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Title
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MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION, RESISTANCE, AND HEAVY
METAL ANALYSIS OF BLOOD COCKLE (Tegillarca granosa, L.) IN
PANGUIL BAY, PHILIPPINES
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Author(s)
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ACAPULCO, JAMAICA L.
LUNGAY, ANGIE LEE G.
MAGHINAY, LANCE TRISTAN D.
OPADA, AARON CHARLES
PILAPIL, GLYKA CRIZAN MAE B.
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Affiliation
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MISAMIS UNIVERSITY
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Degree Program
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Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology
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Contributor
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LAO, KARL MAEXL O. MSc MLS
ENGUITO, MARIE ROSELLYNN C. MSc BIO
ATTY. AWA, ANTHONY L. MSc BIO, LPT
VILLANTES, YUNALYN L. MSc BIO, PhD
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Year
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2026
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Abstract
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Blood cockles (Tegillarca granosa, L.) are vital food and economic resources in Northern Mindanao and serve as bioindicators of environmental quality due to their filter-feeding nature. While Panguil Bay plays an important role in supporting livelihoods and food security, there has been limited up-to-date information assessing the combined impact of anthropogenic activities on microbial and heavy-metal contamination in local seafood resources, creating uncertainty regarding their safety for consumption and potential health risks. This study aimed to evaluate the extent of bacterial contamination, antibiotic resistance, and arsenic levels in blood cockles collected from Panguil Bay, Philippines. A descriptive-experimental research design was employed, in which samples underwent microbial isolation, biochemical identification, antibacterial susceptibility testing, and colorimetric analysis to determine arsenic. Results revealed the presence of Escherichia coli in all samples, with high microbial loads reaching up to 5.50 × 107 CFU/g in Tangub and 1.35 × 108 CFU/g in Baroy, while Salmonella spp. was not detected. Nitrate levels were low (0.1 mg/L) in both sampling sites, indicating that chemical parameters did not correspond with microbial contamination. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed 100%
resistance to ampicillin, whereas Ceftriaxone and Ciprofloxacin demonstrated the highest relative intermediate activity with mean zones of 17.50 mm and 15.84mm, respectively. Arsenic concentrations were below 0.05 mg/kg in all samples, remaining within acceptable safety limits. Overall, the findings indicated that although arsenic contamination was minimal, the high microbial load and observed antibiotic resistance posed potential health risks to consumers.
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Keywords
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antibiotic resistance, arsenic, contamination, food-borne, health hazard
