Hazard Identification Related to the Presence of spp., Biogenic Amines, and Indole-Producing Bacteria in a Non-Filter Feeding Marine Gastropod ( ) Commercialized on the Italian Market.

is a carrion-feeder edible marine gastropod with an open circulatory system. Therefore, biological, and chemical contaminants associated with the feed can reach all body tissues. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible association of these characteristics with some food safety hazards. spp. load, and the prevalence of pathogenic , , and , were investigated. Moreover, biogenic amines (BAs) and indole-producing bacteria (IPB), markers of seafood decomposition, were quantified for the first time in an edible carrion-feeder. Overall, 49 batches were analyzed (38 from retail, and 11 from primary production). The spp. load resulted of 5.64 ± 0.69 log CFU g at retail, and 5.27 ± 0.74 at harvest but all batches resulted negative for pathogenic . Histamine, putrescine, cadaverine, and tyramine were detected both at harvest and at the retail level. Their sum (BAs Index) showed a mean value of 50.45 and 65.83 mg Kg in batches at harvest and at retail, respectively. IPB were detected at harvest and upon refrigeration for three days (T1-T3). The mean load resulted in 2.52 ± 0.85 log MPN g at T0, 3.31 ± 1.23 at T3 in batches immediately refrigerated, and 3.22 ± 1.18 at T3 in batches previously immersed in clean seawater. Our results contribute to identifying food-borne hazards for that may be related to the retention of biogenic amines and indole-producing bacteria due to carrion feeding.