Prevalent of Staphylococcus aureus from Sachet Waters Sold in Different Areas of Jos Terminus Market, Nigeria

Staphylococcus aureus is an important human pathogen that causes wide range of infectious diseases both in nosocomial and community settings. The Gram-positive pathogen possess virulence factors that facilitate it to establish infections in the hosts. When a “water for life” is contaminated with infectious bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus then, there may be public health challenge in the area. In this study Samples of Sachet water of different companies ware purchased, marked E, T, C and R and examined for the presence of staphylococcus aureus. Total of 80 sachet waters were examined and a prevalence rate of Staphylococcus aureus 5(25.00%) was recorded. The study revealed that sachet water (E) has the highest prevalence of 15.00%, followed by T (5%) and C (5%) and R had the least prevalence with 0.00%. It was discovered that a Prevalence rate of Abuja market terminus recorded 1(5.00%) while that of Ahmadu Bello way has the highest prevalence of 2(10.00%), Yan Taya market 1(5.00%) and railway 1(5.00%). This shows that S. aureus can be isolated from sachet waters. Though the sachet eaters had NAFDAC numbers, it is advisable to review and quality control such sachet water companies regularly because of Staphylococcus aureus and other public health infectious agants. The populace should equally be careful with the type of waters they drink.

Microbiological, Physiochemical and Antibiotic Sensitivity Analysis of Bacterial Consortia Associated with Packaged Water Vended in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Packaged water, most especially sachet and bottled water, is one of the major sources of drinking water in Nigeria, especially for commuters, whose major way of quenching thirst is to buy from road side vendors and previous studies has shown that packaged water does not always measure up to standard. Aim: Investigations were done to determine adherence to physiochemical, microbiological standards. Antibiotic susceptibility profile and plasmid profiling of enumerated bacteria using disc diffusion method were carried out on vended packaged water samples. Location of Study: Eleven brands of sachet water and seven brands of bottled water samples vended in Akure, Ondo State were randomly selected. Methodology: Physiochemical analysis was carried out and the parameters were checked in line with standard organization of Nigeria (SON) specifications. Isolation of bacteria was carried out using standard procedures and isolates were identified by various biochemical tests. Plasmid analysis and curing was conducted following standard protocols Results: Total bacterial counts of sachet water brands ranged from 0.2 × 102 to 4.5 × 102 CFU/ml while that of bottled water brands ranged from 0.1 × 102 to 4.2 × 102 CFU/ml. Bacillus subtilis, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and Shigella dysentariae. Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from the samples. Conclusion: Most packaged water (Bottled water, sachet water) samples are improperly handled and produced, which could serve as a source for spread of antibiotic-resistant potential pathogens, a risk to public health. better surveillance should be done on packaged water sale and production, public health education is encouraged for safety of residents in the Metropolis.

THE EFFECTS OF SUN RADIATION ON THE QUALITY OF SACHET AND BOTTLED WATER

In recent times, packaging of potable water in form of bottled water or sachet water has gradually gained wider acceptability in our major cities. Demographic and socioeconomic variables are largely responsible for the choice and preference for this product. Packaged water exposed to the hot sun in the process of storage or transportation does cause serious chemical exposure. Ultraviolet rays from the sun or high temperatures do accelerate leaching of toxic substance (dioxin) and other plastic chemicals into the water. The polythene bags also develop germs and micro-organisms which enter the water through the deterioration of the polythene bag (weather susceptible). Two bags of sachet water (60cl) and two packs of bottled water (75cl) each were selected for the sample from three purposely selected water packaging companies with regard to the rate of production and consumption. These samples were exposed to direct heat of sunlight to achieve sun radiation, a control was obtained from the same source and assessed after the exposed sample has been tested at intervals of 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 2 months, and finally 3 months duration. The parameter analysis conducted was in adherence to WHO standards and criteria. The results obtained shows that the concentration levels of various physiochemical parameters in the studied packaged water types did not exceed the international guidelines for drinking water but variations of physiochemical properties were found when compared with the control. Such variation can be attributed to the leaching of the compounds produced from the photodegradation of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by sunlight. Due to the presence of organic and inorganic compounds in the water sample, residual chlorine, for all samples underwent a depleting process during the course of exposure; Company A recorded a value ranging from 0.02-0.21 mg/l, while Company B’s values ranged from of 0.03-0.2 mg/l and Company C maintained 0.05mg/l to 0.23 mg/l.

Physicochemical and Microbiological Assessment of Some Sachet Water Produced in Irele, Ondo State, Nigeria

This study presents the result obtained from the quality assessment of some sachet water produced in Irele, Ondo State, Nigeria. Eight different brands of sachet water certified by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) representing the western, northern, eastern, central and southern part of Irele were obtained, their physicochemical characteristics and microbiological parameters were investigated using standard analytical procedures to determine the level of agreement with World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) requirements for drinking water. The results from the Physico-chemical characteristics temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids, total hardness, total alkalinity, nitrate and chloride were in the range of 6.2 - 27.0 oC , 77.2-142.3 μS/cm, 7.40 -7.60, 47.7 - 99.5 mg/L, 11.3 - 51.3 mg/L, 13.20 - 70.0 mg/L, 0.8 to 2.5 mg/L and 0.01 - 0.02 mg/L respectively. The concentrations of iron, copper and manganese were in the range of 0.01 - 0.02 mg/L, 0.13 - 0.18 mg/L and 0.01- 0.6 mg/L. The concentrations of cadmium, mercury, lead, and arsenic were not detected in the sachet water studied except in sample H were their concentrations were 0.003, 0.001, 0.01, and 0.01mg/L, respectively. The microbial quality of the studied sachet water was within the WHO recommended standard. All the studied parameters have their values within the recommended limit set by WHO except for sample H with a manganese concentration above the set standard. There is a need for NAFDAC and other water monitoring agencies to focus on promoting the safety of drinking water, particularly sachet water. The Sources of water, production processes, and environment should be inspected regularly by monitory agencies to certify that there is no deviation from recommended standards.