Cultivation and Post-Harvest Management towards Microbial Quality of Sea Grape (Caulerpa lentillifera J. Agardh) in Laem Phak Bia Subdistrict, Ban Laem District, Phetchaburi Province

Abstract

This research aimed: (1) to study the cultivation system of sea grapes (Caulerpa lentillifera J. Agardh); 2) to study the post-harvest management system; (3) to examine the microbial quality of harvested sea grapes; and (4) to determine the relationship between cultivation, post-harvest management and microbial quality of sea grapes in Laem Phak Bia subdistrict, Ban Laem district, Phetchaburi province. A survey research was conducted on a sample population of sea grapes farms in Laem Phak Bia subdistrict, Ban Laem district, Phetchaburi province cultivated totaling 4 different farms including GAP-certified farm, organic and GAP-certified farm, general algae farm, and general aquaculture farm (raising aquatic animals and algae). The following tools were used for this study: 1) survey records of cultivation and post-harvest management systems of sea grapes, and 2) tools for microbial quality analysis. Data were obtained by interviewing farm proprietors and staff; sea grapes samples were taken at the end of the production process and ready for sale from 4 farms, 3 samples from each farm. Data analysis was conducted using content analysis and Kruskal-Wallis’ non-parametric statistics. Results revealed that: (1) no differences were found in cultivation system across the 4 farms; (2) no differences were found in post-harvest management across the 4 farms; (3) microbial quality of sea grapes from each farm showed no statistical difference, with only 1 sample detected with Vibrio parahaemolyticus out of 12 samples collected, lastly;  and 4) cultivation and post-harvest management in all farms were shown to be related to microbial quality of sea grapes in compliance with standards.