In the present study, nutritional composition of the edible seaweeds, Gracilaria edulis (red seaweed), Ulva lactuca (green seaweed) and Sargassum sp. (brown seaweed) were evaluated. Results showed that the seaweeds had protein content of 13.84±3.55 to 18.21±0.00%; fat 0.73±0.001 to 0.93±0.00%, carbohydrate 30.32±0.21 to 43.19±1.75% and total dietary fibre (TDF) content of 53.625±0.18 to 63.175±0.46% on dry weight basis. Among the three seaweeds, Sargassum sp. contained highest protein content (18.21±0.00%) and G. edulis possessed highest TDF (63.175±0.46%). Macronutrients viz., Na, P and Ca and the micronutrients, Fe, Se, Mn, Cu and Zn were present in all three seaweeds. G. edulis had highest Na (423.33±1.15 mg 100 g-1), P (282.5±0.5 mg 100 g-1), Ca (223.33±0.58 mg 100 g-1) and Fe (65.28±0.33 mg 100 g-1), whereas highest Se content was recorded in Sargassum sp (49.82±0.09 mg 100 g-1). Palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2, ω-6) were the most abundant saturated fatty acid (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), respectively. Fatty acid profile also revealed that small quantity of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (C22:6, ω-3) ranging from 0.064 to 0.494% was present in all the three seaweed species but eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (C20:5, ω-3) was present only in Sargassum sp. at a concentration of 0.583%. G. edulis had higher vitamin D2 (2.590 mg 100 g-1), vitamin E (1.017 mg 100 g-1) and vitamin K1 (0.714 mg 100 g-1) than Sargassum sp. and U. lactuca. The results clearly indicates that these three seaweeds can be considered as a good source of dietary fibre, protein, minerals and vitamins and can be used for fortifying foods or as components of functional foods.

Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a versatile pathogen bearing multiple virulence determinants, is increasingly being detected in various food‐producing animals, including fish. In addition, it is a potential food poisoning agent. MRSA is not an inherent microbiota of fish; its presence is attributed to pre‐ or postharvest contamination through fish handlers, water, ice, and processing equipment. Several reviews have been written on MRSA in clinical as well as the food animal‐producing sector, but information specific to MRSA in seafood is scant. This review puts forth insights on MRSA detection in seafood, antibiotic resistance, diversity of clones in seafood, and possible control measures in seafood production chain. Emphasis has been given on assessing the variations in the protocols employed for isolation and identification in different food matrices and lay the foundation for researchers to develop optimized procedure.

The prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in the retail fish markets of the Kerala, India was investigated by screening 227 samples comprising of marine finfish (n = 97) shellfish (n = 19), ready-to-cook fish products (n = 47), ready-to-eat fish products (n = 10), dried fish (n = 11) and retail ice (n = 43). The prevalence of L. monocytogenes and L. innocua was 2·7% and 17·2% respectively. Sample category wise, prevalence of L. monocytogenes was higher in marine finfish (1·8%) and retail ice (0·9%). All the L. monocytogenes isolates carried virulent genes namely inlA, inlC, inlJ, hlyA, iap, plcA, prfA genes and majority (82%) belonged to 1/2a, 3a serogroups. L. monocytogenes isolates were multidrug-resistant and showed resistance to ampicillin, penicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline and clindamycin. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) delineated 58% genetic heterogeneity among the L. monocytogenes strains. The study reports that genetic similarities of the isolates were interlinked to their serogroup and sample origin. Significance and Impact of the Study Prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes, in the retail fish markets of Kerala, India was low but their relatively higher presence in marine finfish and retail ice and virulent nature of the isolates signifies food safety concerns. Moreover, multidrug-resistant nature of these isolates may potentially lead to spread of antimicrobial resistance. This study identified retail ice as a vehicle for entry of L. monocytogenes in retail fish and hence, there is a need to ensure quality of retail ice used for maintaining the cold-chain.