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Qualitative and Bacteriological Assessment of Commercially Available Bottled Water in the City of Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Shabnam Sharmin
Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Shabnam Sharmin
Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

S. M. Lutful Kabir*
Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M. Mufizur Rahman
Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Bottled water has become one of the most popular drinks in Bangladesh. Now a days it is easily available in the market. The objectives of this study were to assess the overall quality (qualitative and bacteriological) of bottled water samples in the city of Mymensingh, Bangladesh. For achieving the objectives, standard questionnaire, methods of heterotrophic plate count (HPC) and total coliform count (TCC) were applied. Qualitative assessment of bottled water indicated that a good number of people preferred bottled water to tap water. The criterion in order to qualify for a ‘good bottled water’ was the taste (43.3%). The bottled water quality was satisfactory in 40% of the responders in this study on the basis of peoples’ satisfactions, perceptions and expenditures on bottled water quality. On the other hand, the percentage of dumping of bottled water after consumption refuse was 33.3%. Monthly expenditure on bottled water was less than 300 taka in 80% of the responders. The geometric mean of HPC of different brands of bottled water ranged from 2.9x103 cfu/100 ml to 6.2x103 cfu/100 ml. In addition, the geometric mean of TCC of different brands of bottled water ranged from 9 cfu /100 ml to 43 cfu /100 ml. The results indicate that most of the bottled water studied were out of their safety guidelines. Recommendations for better treatment systems for bottled drinking water to address the issue appears to be essential.

Keywords: Quality, Bacteriological Assessment, Bottle Water

Location: Mymensingh, Bangladesh during October to November, 2012.

Start Date: 00-10-2012

End Date: 00-11-2012

Program Area: Quality and Nutrition

Commodity: Contamination

Objectives:

The present study was conducted to determine the qualitative and bacteriological assessments of bottled water available in the open market in Mymensingh city, Bangladesh.

Methodology:

Collection of bottled water samples: A total of 30 bottled water samples from 5 different domestic brands (5 from each brand) were collected randomly from retail stores in Mymensingh, Bangladesh during October to November, 2012. After collecting water samples in a conical flask, the mouth and neck of flask was covered with aluminum foil and taken to the bacteriology laboratory of the Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, Bangladesh for detail investigation. Questionnaire for qualitative assessment: To acquire a public perception regarding bottled water in the Mymensingh city of Bangladesh, a questionnaire survey was designed (questionnaire not shown). Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC): For the determination of heterotrophic plate count, 100 micro liter of a tenfold serial dilution of bottled water and 100 micro liters of a tenfold serial dilution of tap water from original samples were transferred and spread onto a nutrient agar media using micro pipette for each dilution. The diluted samples were spread as quickly as possible on the surface of plate with a sterile glass spreader. One sterile glass spreader was used for each plate .The plates were then incubated at 37ºC for 24-48 hours. Following incubation, plates exhibiting 30-300 colonies were counted. The heterotrophic plate count was calculated according to ISO (1995). The result of total bacterial count was expressed as the number of organism or colony forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml) of water samples. Total Coliform Count (TCC): For the determination of total Coliform count, 100 micro liter of serial tenfold dilution of bottled water and 100 micro liters of serial ten fold dilution of tap water from original samples were transferred and spread on MacConkey agar media using micro pipette for each dilution. The diluted samples were spread as quickly as possible on the surface of plate with a sterile glass spreader. One sterile glass spreader was used for each plate. The plates were then taken in an incubator at 37ºc for 24-48 hours. Following incubation, plates exhibiting 30-300 colonies were counted. The average number of colonies in a particular dilution was multiplied by the dilution factor to obtain the total Coliform count. The total Coliform count was calculated according to ISO (1995). The result of total bacterial count was expressed as the number of organism or colony forming units per milliliter (CFU/ ml) of water samples. Data analysis: For data processing, Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (2007) and SPSS16 were used.

Source of Information: Microbes and Health, December 2012, 1(2): 81-85

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The bottled water market has steadily increased over the last decade and is now the largest category of commercial beverage sold by volume in Bangladesh. Many prefer bottled water over tap water for a number of reasons. People may not like the taste, smell or color of bottled water, but they continue to drink bottled water despite quality concerns. On the other hand, some people are worried about their health and perceive bottled water as more natural, pure and a healthier alternative to supplied water by local authorities. Therefore, ever-increasing demand for bottled water is continuing in Bangladesh. Quality differences among different brands of bottled water were observed. Analysis of 30 bottled water samples showed a wide assortment of microbial qualities. Generally, bottled water is good for drinking in Bangladesh. However, bottled water quality in Bangladesh needs to be monitored regularly. Indeed, it is a requirement that a tri-monthly monitoring should be carried out on water quality of bottled water of different brands, generally by BSTI and by the Ministry of Health in Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal