Influence of Transportation Conditions and Postharvest Disinfection Treatments on Microbiological Quality of Fresh Market Tomatoes (cv. Nemo-Netta) in a South African Supply Chain

2017 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Sibomana ◽  
L. W. Ziena ◽  
S. Schmidt ◽  
T. S. Workneh
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
South African ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Maturity Stage ◽  
Storage Site ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Microscopy Imaging

ABSTRACT Postharvest microbial spoilage due to suboptimal transportation and packaging conditions is a key concern for the South African tomato industry. This study investigated the influence of washing with tap water or aqueous disinfectant solutions (chlorinated and anolyte water) on the microbiological quality of tomatoes during storage after transportation in nonrefrigerated trucks along two supply routes when packaged in crates and boxes. Route 1 was 1,093 km from field to storage site, while route 2 was 1,057 km. During transport, the temperature in the trucks fluctuated between 16 and 28°C and the relative humidity between 25 and 94% for route 1, while for route 2, the temperature was between 16 and 30°C and the relative humidity between 28 and 71%. Tomatoes at the pink maturity stage were sampled, treated, and stored for 28 days (11°C). The tomato firmness before treatment was 24.8 N (box samples) and 17.4 N (crate samples) for route 1, whereas it was 22.1 N (box samples) and 20.2 N (crate samples) for route 2. Temperature fluctuation during transportation led to water condensation on tomato surfaces. Tomatoes treated with anolyte water showed the lowest microbial surface burden during storage, with mean aerobic plate counts (APC) of 2.9 log CFU/cm2, coliform counts (CC) of 1.1 log CFU/cm2, and fungal counts (FC) of 2.3 log CFU/cm2. Overall, of the total APC recorded during storage, anolyte-treated samples contributed 9% while chlorinated water–treated samples contributed 30%. Of the total CC, anolyte samples presented 3% while chlorinated water samples made up 12%, and of the total recorded FC, anolyte samples contributed 7% while chlorinated water samples made up 22%. Scanning electron microscopy imaging showed surface cracks, which enable microbial colonization in crate-transported tomatoes. A combination of anolyte treatment and box packaging during transport resulted in the best microbiological quality during storage. The findings of this investigation provide motivation for the adoption of anolyte water as a postharvest disinfection treatment in the tomato industry.

scholarly journals Comparison of the physicochemical and microbiological quality of different brands of bottled water with well water in Lesotho using principal component analysis

Water SA ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (3 July) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khothalang E Molefe ◽  
Lineo Williams ◽  
Mosotho J George ◽  
Sissay B Mekbib
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Bottled Water ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
Well Water ◽  
Microbiological Analysis

Water, though vital for life, is also the route for transmission of water-borne diseases. Bottled water is consumed worldwide for its accessibility and the public perception of purity. However, this perception is usually not based on experimental results to confirm or invalidate it, especially where the sample commodity is not adequately tested for quality. In this study, different bottled water brands in Lesotho were compared to tap and well water samples sourced locally. The standard water testing methods were used to assess the physicochemical and microbiological quality of these samples. The physicochemical parameters such as hardness, alkalinity, pH, chloride, conductivity and nitrate content were below WHO acceptable limits for all water samples tested. Upon the employment of multivariate statistics, one of the bottled water samples (C) was completely indistinguishable from the two well water samples collected in the local village. On the other hand, microbiological analysis indicated that the water samples designated as C (bottle water brand), F (tap water), G (Ha-Mafefooane) and H (Roma community water) had a high microbial load and were contaminated with Escherichia coli, while A, B, D and E samples contained Staphylococcus spp. The presence of such indicator organisms suggests possible poor hygiene during processing. It is therefore recommended that stricter policy measures be taken to regularly monitor bottled water quality, before and after production and storage, to fulfil the basic water quality standards of WHO. Public awareness should also be created that bottled water may still be impure, despite appearing attractive and convenient.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Microbiological Quality of Commercially Available Bottled Water in the City of Dhaka, Bangladesh

1970 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder ◽  
KM Nazmul Islam ◽  
Rezwanun Naher Nite ◽  
Rashed Noor
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Bottled Water ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Plate Counts ◽  
Human Illness ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
Heterotrophic Plate Counts

Bottled water has become one of the most popular drinks in Bangladesh. Now a days it is easily available in the market. Due to lack of confidence on municipal supply water, people now prefer to drink bottled water instead of tap water, mostly when they are outside the home, and in many occasions. In the present study, the presence of total coliforms (TC) and fecal coliforms (FC) from nine commercially available lacal Bangladeshi bottled water samples were examined. The obtained results indicated that most of the studied bottled water were out of their safety guidelines and hence some chronic diseases (renal failure, liver cirrhosis and anemia) are expected in the area understudy, because 68.89% and 31.11% of the bottled water sampled in the current study showed heterotrophic plate counts (HPC) within a range of 1-500 (cfu/ml) and greater than 500 (cfu/ml), respectively and 0% samples showed less than 1 (cfu/ml) in heterotrophic plate counts. The results also revealed the ill performance and poor drinking water quality of the purification systems of the investigated water samples. 28% of the respondents considered that the quality of bottled water was satisfactory, in contrast to the 26% of the respondent, who judged that the quality of bottled water was not that satisfactory. However, the highest (34%) number of the respondents did not know whether the quality of the bottled water is good or not satisfactory. Recommendation was suggested for new treatment systems of the investigated suspicious water to prevent human illness.  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjm.v1i1.9099Stamford Journal of Microbiology, Vol.1(1), July 2011, p.24-30

scholarly journals Impact of a silver layer on the membrane of tap water filters on the microbiological quality of filtered water

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf-Peter Vonberg ◽  
Dorit Sohr ◽  
Juliane Bruderek ◽  
Petra Gastmeier
Keyword(s):  
Tap Water ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Silver Layer ◽  
Water Filters

scholarly journals Evaluation of Microbiological and Free-Living Protozoa Contamination in Dental Unit Waterlines

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (15) ◽  
pp. 2648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Maria Spagnolo ◽  
Marina Sartini ◽  
David Di Cave ◽  
Beatrice Casini ◽  
Benedetta Tuvo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Coliform Bacteria ◽  
Dental Staff ◽  
Plate Counts ◽  
Dental Unit Waterlines ◽  
Heterotrophic Plate Counts

Studies conducted over the last 40 years have demonstrated that the water output from dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) is often contaminated with high densities of microorganisms. It has been monitored the microbiological quality of the water in 30 public dental facilities in northern Italy in order to assess the health risk for patients and dental staff. In each facility, samples of water both from taps and from DUWLs were analyzed in order to evaluate heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs) at 22 °C and 36 °C, and to detect coliform bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella pneumophila and amoebae. In 100% of the samples taken from the DUWLs, the concentration of HPCs was above the threshold as determined by the Ministère de la Santé et des Solidarités (2007). The concentration of P. aeruginosa was greater than the indicated threshold in 16.67% of the hand-pieces analyzed. A total of 78.33% of samples were contaminated by L. pneumophila, while in the samples taken from the DUWLs alone, this percentage rose to 86.67%. Amoebae were detected in 60% of the samples taken from hand-pieces; all belonging to the species V. vermiformis. This study documented the presence of various microorganisms, including Legionella spp., at considerably higher concentrations in water samples from DUWLs than in samples of tap water in the same facilities, confirming the role of the internal DUWLs in increasing microbial contamination, especially in the absence of proper management of waterborne health risks.

Commercialization Conditions and Practices Influence the Microbiological Quality of Mineral Waters

2008 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 1253-1257 ◽  
Author(s):  
SÉRGIO A. P. NUNES FILHO ◽  
ANDERSON S. SANT'ANA ◽  
ADRIANO G. CRUZ
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Mineral Water ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Mineral Waters ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Street Vendors ◽  
Total Coliforms ◽  
Bottled Mineral Water

The objective of the present study was to determine the microbiological quality of bottled mineral water marketed in commercial establishments and by street vendors and to evaluate the influence of the storage and maintenance conditions on the microbiological quality of the product. Ten samples from the same batches of five different brands of water were analyzed, for a total of 50 samples. Of the five brands analyzed, only one (brand A), when collected in a commercial establishment, complied with the legal Brazilian standards for mineral water with respect to the presence of total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The remaining samples failed to comply with these microbiological standards for at least one of the parameters evaluated. The water samples obtained from street vendors were inferior in microbiological quality to samples from the same batch that were obtained from commercial establishments.

Bacterial quality of drinking water sources and antimicrobial resistance profile of Enterobacteriaceae in Bahir Dar city, Ethiopia

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 384-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bayeh Abera ◽  
Mulugeta Kibret ◽  
Goraw Goshu ◽  
Mulat Yimer
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Multiple Drug Resistance ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
World Health ◽  
Most Probable Number ◽  
Bahir Dar ◽  
Probable Number

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the bacterial quality and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Enterobacteriaceae from drinking water in Bahir Dar city. A total of 140 water samples were collected in the wet and dry periods from springs (n = 4), reservoirs (n = 10) and private tap water at households (n = 126). Bacteriological analysis of water was conducted using multiple tube method. Overall, 21.4%, 18.6% and 17.8% of drinking water samples had total coliforms (TC), faecal coliforms (FC) and Escherichia coli, respectively. All spring water samples and 29.2% of private tap water had the highest TC load (18 most probable number/100 mL, 95% CI: 100). For FC, 81.4% of the drinking water supplies tested complied with both World Health Organization and Ethiopian Standards. High levels of resistance (98–100%) were observed for ampicillin by Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All P. aeruginosa isolates and 20 (66.7%) of E. coli revealed multiple drug resistance. Enterobacteriaceae and P. aeruginosa isolates exhibited high levels of antimicrobial resistance. The bacterial quality of drinking water in Bahir Dar city was poor. Microbial surveillance and monitoring with periodic assessment on physical integrity of the water pipelines need to be undertaken.

scholarly journals The health-related microbiological quality of bottled drinking water sold in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

2006 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel R. Kassenga
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Heterotrophic Bacteria ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Total Coliform ◽  
Dar Es Salaam ◽  
Bottled Water ◽  
Faecal Coliform ◽  
Coliform Bacteria

The consumption of bottled and plastic-bagged drinking water in Tanzania has increased largely because of the deteriorating quality of tap water. It is uncertain whether these water products are safe for drinking. In this study, the microbiological quality of bottled and plastic-bagged drinking water sold in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, was investigated. One hundred and thirty samples representing 13 brands of bottled water collected from shops, supermarkets and street vendors were analysed for total coliform and faecal coliform organisms as well as heterotrophic bacteria. These were compared with 61 samples of tap water. Heterotrophic bacteria were detected in 92% of the bottled water samples analysed. Total and faecal coliform bacteria were present in 4.6% and 3.6%, respectively, of samples analysed with a tendency for higher contamination rates in plastic-bagged drinking water. Microbiological quality of tap water was found to be worse compared with bottled water, with 49.2% and 26.2% of sampling points showing the presence of total coliform and faecal coliform organisms, respectively. The results suggest caution and vigilance to avert outbreaks of waterborne diseases from these types of drinking water.

scholarly journals Point-of-Use Water Treatment Methods and the Microbiological Quality of Drinking Water in a Peri-Urban Community of Bonendale, Douala IV, Cameroon

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ngouakam H ◽  
◽  
Fru Cho J ◽  
Tientche B ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Coliform Bacteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Coliform Count ◽  
Point Of Use ◽  
Dug Wells

Background: The study aimed at assessing the knowledge of Bonendale populations related to safe drinking water; determine the microbiological quality and the household treatment practices of drinking water at the point of use (PoU). Methods: The study was descriptive and cross-sectional, conducted between November 2017 and November 2018 in Bonendale, Douala IV. A systematic random sampling method was used to select 237 households. Results: The main source of drinking water in the study population was dug wells (64.9%). The major activity around the boreholes was agriculture 50% (6/12) while agriculture and livestock rearing were practiced around 34.3% (12/35) and 42.8% (15/35) of dug wells respectively. Nearly half 110 (46.4%) of respondents had a good knowledge of physical properties of drinking water. Fifty-nine water samples out of a total of 60 tested (98.3%) were contaminated by coliform bacteria. Analysis of water samples indicated that 47.6% (10/21) of dug wells, 37.0% (10/27) of Camwater, and 41.2% (5/12) of boreholes had a total coliform count varying between 101-1000 CFU/100mL. And only a single Camwater water sample 1 (137%) had a coliform count of 0 CFU/100mL. Conclusion: These findings indicated the poor microbiological quality of point water used by Bonendale populations representing an important potential health risk of water-borne diseases. The results also reveal that a very high proportion of households treat their PoU before drinking.

scholarly journals Comparing the Efficacy of Postharvest Cooling Methods to Enhance Fruit Quality and Reduce Salmonella in Artificially Inoculated Southern Highbush Blueberry

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 314-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaysankar De ◽  
Aswathy Sreedharan ◽  
You Li ◽  
Alan Gutierrez ◽  
Jeffrey K. Brecht ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shelf Life ◽  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Temperature Management ◽  
Air Cooling ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Southern Highbush

Cooling procedures used by blueberry (Vaccinium sp.) growers often may include delays up to 24 hours that can damage the fruit through rough handling and adverse temperatures, thereby potentially compromising quality and, subsequently, safety. The objectives of this experiment were to compare forced-air cooling (FAC) compared to hydrocooling without sanitizer (HW) and hydrocooling with sanitizer (HS) regarding the quality and shelf life of southern highbush blueberry [SHB (Vaccinium corymbosum)] and to determine the efficacy of these treatments for reducing Salmonella in SHB. Freshly harvested SHB that were inoculated with a five-serovar cocktail of rifampin-resistant Salmonella were rapidly chilled by FAC or hydrocooling (HW and HS) using a laboratory model system. FAC did not show any significant reduction (P > 0.05) in Salmonella or in the effects on the microbiological quality of blueberries. HW and HS reduced Salmonella by ≈2 and >4 log cfu/g SHB, respectively, on day 0. These postharvest treatments were also evaluated for their ability to help maintain fruit quality throughout a storage period of 21 days at 1 °C. Hydrocooling (both HS and HW) provided more rapid cooling than FAC. Hydrocooled blueberries showed significant weight gain (P < 0.05), whereas FAC resulted in a slight, but insignificant (P > 0.05), reduction in final weight. The results of hydrocooling, both HS and HW, shown in this study could help to extend the shelf life while maintaining or increasing the microbiological quality of fresh market blueberries. Information obtained by this study can be used for developing the best temperature management practices to maintain the postharvest safety and quality of blueberries.

Sewage Disposal and Viral Pollution of the Ottawa River

1979 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-62
Author(s):  
S.A. Sattar ◽  
V.S. Springthorpe ◽  
S. Ramia
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Virus Concentration ◽  
Viral Agent ◽  
Sewage Disposal ◽  
Ottawa River ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Virus Isolates

Abstract The quality of water in the Ottawa River is being affected by the disposal of increased volumes of sewage into it. Some of the sewage disposal points are situated upstream of beaches and intake points for water purification plants. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of such waste disposal on the virological quality of recreational and drinking waters for the Ottawa area. A total of 132 weekly samples of raw sewage, chlorinated secondary effluents, raw and finished surface waters were examined for viruses from June to December 1977. In addition to these, ten samples of tap water, collected during the first two weeks of April 1978, were also included in this study. Virus concentration from these samples was carried out using the talc-Celite technique developed in the laboratory. Primary human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells and BS-C-1 cells were used for the detection and quantitation of viruses present in the sample concentrates. Virus isolates were identified by their cytopathology, examination under the electron microscope and serology. When 6 1. volumes were processed, nearly all the samples of raw sewage and 54% chlorinated effluent samples were found to be positive for virus. Approximately 50% of the surface water samples were also shown to contain virus using 40 1. sample volumes. Concentrates of some of the potable water samples showed virus-like degeneration in cell cultures. Although this degeneration was found to be transmissible, at this stage it is not possible to say if this effect was in fact due to a viral agent. The following major conclusions were drawn from this study: (a) All three major enteric virus groups were represented in the virus isolates. However, inherent limitations of sample concentration and virus isolation techniques may have resulted in the detection of only a small fraction of the viruses present in the samples. (b) There was no apparent correspondence between the numbers of indicator bacteria and the presence or absence of detectable virus in the samples. (c) Viruses detected in the recreational and raw water samples may be due to the presence of point sources of raw sewage discharge upstream. This could result in the dissemination of human pathogenic viruses through recreational and potable waters.

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