Title

FROM PEEL TO PURITY: PINEAPPLE (Ananas comosus) WASTE EXTRACT AS A NATURAL DEPURATION OF BACTERIAL CONTAMINANTS FOR GREEN MUSSEL (Mytella strigata)

Author(s)

ADLAON, AMELIA MAY R.

EDULSORA, JOSHFIL HARRY P.

ERAMEL, ERROL C.

GANOHAY, CHARLIE SHEEN H.

Affiliation

Misamis University

Degree Program

Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology

Contributor

Villantes, Yunalyn L., MSc. Bio, PhD - Adviser
Enguito, Marie Roselynn, MSc. Bio - Panel member
Atty. Awa, Anthony MSc. Bio, LPT - Panel member
Lao, Karl Maxel O., MSc MLS- Chairman

Year

2026

Abstract

Green mussels (Mytella strigata) are widely consumed in the
Philippines. However, their filter-feeding nature renders them susceptible to the accumulation of harmful bacteria, including Vibrio spp., which are known to cause foodborne illnesses. The conventional chlorine-based depuration method employed to sanitize these mussels poses environmental concerns and incurs additional costs. Concurrently, pineapple (Ananas comosus) peel, a commonly discarded agricultural waste, contains natural bioactive compounds with potential antibacterial properties. This study investigated the efficacy of pineapple peel extract as a natural alternative for reducing Vibrio spp. in green mussels. Pineapple peels were subjected to ethanol extraction, and the resulting extract was prepared at varying concentrations for experimental testing. Fresh green mussels from Tangub City were treated with artificial seawater (control), chlorine solution, and pineapple peel extract for 48 hours. Bacterial testing using Thiosulfate Citrate Bile Salts Sucrose (TCBS) agar showed that selected pineapple peel extract treatments completely removed detectable Vibrio colonies after 48 hours. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences among treatment groups at 24 hours (H = 16.27, p = 0.0124) and 48 hours (H = 29.51, p < 0.0001). The results also demonstrated that bacterial counts decreased significantly over time in all pineapple-treated groups, including the 12.5%, 25%, and 50% concentrations. Further analysis indicated that pineapple peel extract performed as effectively as chlorine, with no significant difference observed
between them. Overall, this study demonstrates that pineapple peel extract is a promising, low-cost, and eco-friendly alternative for reducing harmful bacteria in green mussels (Mytella strigata) and could be effectively utilized as a natural depuration agent.

Keywords

Agricultural by-products, bacterial reduction, coastal food safety, ethanolic extract, natural depuration agent