Microbiological Quality Of Sachet Water Sold In Awka Metropolis, Anambra State, Nigeria
Microbiological Quality Of Sachet Water Sold In Awka Metropolis, Anambra State, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
The microbiological quality of sachet water sold in Awka metropolis was evaluated. Water is a basic nutrient of the human body and is critical to human life.
The samples were collected from different locations and the samples were analysed microbiologically first by homogenizing the samples under asceptic conditions to obtain a composite sample for the analysis.
The Pour and spread plate technique was carried out using the following microbiological media (Nutrient agar, Eosin Methyl Blue agar, and sabouraud’s dextrose agar) to isolate pathogenic micro-organism.
Isolates were further identified and characteristised through various biochemical tests such as Gram Staining, Coagulase, Motility, Methyl red, Indole test, Oxidase test, Catalase test Citrate utilization test and sugar fermentation then confirmed using the Bergey’s manual of determinative Bacteriology.
The bacteria isolates were then identified to be Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp, Streptococcus spp and klebsiella spp and fungi isolates were then identified to be Aspergillus spp, Fusarium spp.
The Presence of this microbes in sachet water has been traced to inadequate treatment and poor hygiene practices during production, improper handling, purification procedures and processing which has significantly affected the quality of sachet water, making it unfit for human consumption.
INTRODUCTION
Water is one of the most important natural resources known on earth and for sustenance of human life. Water is one of the most essential commodities for the survival of all lives.
It is abundant in nature and occupies about 70% of the earth and the only common substance that exists in nature in all three physical states of matter: solid liquid and gas. (Ojo et al., 2005) It is the most universally used solvent and common route of transmission of diseases.
It is a basic human need and essential constituent of life. Accessibility and availability of fresh water is a key to sustainable development and essential element in the promotion of good health and food production (Adenkunle et al., 2004).
However, it has been estimated that about 1.2 billion individuals worldwide do not have access to portable water (Third word water forum on water, 2003).
In many developing countries, water availability has become a critical and urgent problem and it is a matter of great concern to families and communities that depends on non-public water supply system (Okonko et al., 2008).
The increasing human population has exerted an enormous pressure on the provision of safe drinking water in developing countries (Umeh et al., 2003).
Water of good quality is important to human physiology and man’s continued existence depends very much on its availability.
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