Microbiological Analysis Of Smoothies

Description

ABSTRACT

Various kinds of fruit juices sold by the street vendors are widely consumed in BELL University. These street vended fruit juices are usually high in microbial loads. So, the present study was undertaken to assess the microbiological load, possible risk factors and identity of freshly squeezed juices and their safety for human consumption in terms of pathogens.

For the study purpose papaya juice, sugarcane juice, Kunu Zaki lemon and apple were taken as samples. The study showed a high microbial load in the drinks. The range of average total viable count (microbial load) and total coliforms were 7.7 × 10³ – 9 × 10⁸ cfu/ml and 210–1100 cfu/100 ml, indicated the heavy presence of microorganisms in all the drinks analyzed in this study. The study revealed that Kunu Zaki was most contaminated with a count of 9 × 10⁸ cfu/ml. The least contamination was observed in lemon juice. A count of 1.98 × 10⁶ cfu/ml was observed in papaya juice and 3.4 × 10⁵ cfu/ml was in wood apple. Total coliforms were present in all samples and average count for total coliforms was high in Kunu Zaki than others. Various pathogenic species of bacteria such as Proteus sp., Enterobacter sp, E. coli, Shigella sp, Citrobacter sp, Vibrio sp, Yersinia sp and Hafnia sp were isolated from the juices and sherbets. Unhygienic water for dilution, dressing with ice, prolonged use without refrigeration, insanitary surroundings, raw materials, chemical properties, equipment, fruit flies and airborne dust are the risk factors of contamination.

It was revealed that consumption of these street drinks were harmful for people. These drinks can cause various food borne illnesses. People should avoid these drinks.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWELDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

1.0      INTRODUCTION

1.1      BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

• PROBLEM STATEMENT
• AIM AND OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
• SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
• PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
• LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
• RESEARCH QUESTION
• DEFINITION OF TERMS

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

• OVERVIEW OF MICROORGANISM
• HISTORICAL AND DISCOVERY BACKGROUND OF MICROBES
• CLASSIFICATION AND STRUCTURE OF MICROORGANISMS
• ECOLOGY OF MICROORGANISMS
• APPLICATIONS OF MICROORGANISMS
• THE IMPACT OF MICROBES ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN ACTIVITIES

CHAPTER THREE

3.0      METHODOLOGY

• SAMPLE COLLECTION
• SAMPLE PROCESSING
• BACTERIOLOGICAL STUDIES

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1      RESULT AND DISCUSSION

CHAPTER FIVE

• CONCLUSION
• REFERENCES

CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                                     INTRODUCTION

1.1                                       BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In developing countries such as Nigeria, various kinds of drinks sold by the street vendors are widely consumed by millions of people. These drinks are available in metropolitan and other cities of Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, the drinks usually consumed by the people at the streets or from roadside shops are various carbonated soft drinks, tea, coffee, fruit juices and sherbets. But the major drinks sold by the street vendors and found to consume by the people at the street are various kinds of fruit juices and sherbets. According to FAO, street food is a food obtained from a street side vendor, often from a makeshift or portable stall (FAO 2007).

During summer season (during the months of March through August) a huge section about of the population of all income and age groups consumes these fresh pressed and squeezed juices and sherbets (Ahmed et al. 2009). These drinks are sold all the year round except winter season. Unpasteurized juices are preferred by the consumers because of the “fresh flavor” attributes and low cost. They are simply prepared by mechanically squeezing fresh fruits or may be extracted by water. The final product is an unfermented, clouded, untreated drink, ready for consumption. The drinks are nutritious for man. These are also good medium for the growth of many microorganisms some of which may be pathogenic to man. The pathogenic organism can cause various food borne diseases. Consumption of fresh fruit juices are increasing day by day. In addition to their increasing popularity in consumption patterns, fresh fruits and vegetables have also become increasingly important vehicles in food borne disease statistics (Sivapalasingam et al. 2004).

Consumption of fresh fruits and their juice provides potential health benefits to the general population (Alothman et al. 2009). Juices are fat-free, nutrient dense beverages that are rich in vitamins, minerals and naturally occurring phytonutrients that contribute to good health. It is good for health only when it is free from pathogenic microorganisms.

Contamination of food products can result in many health problems ranging from mild bloating and gas to serious incidents of food poisoning and dehydration. Unsafe and non hygienic fruits consumptions cause serious outbreaks of food borne illness (Sivapalasingam et al. 2004). There have been some notable outbreaks of illness in recent years that demonstrate the increasingly important role of fresh fruits and vegetables in food borne disease. There are several reports of illnesses due to the food borne diseases associated with the consumption of fruit juices at several places around the globe (Mosupye and Holy 2010). Usually raw materials, equipments, hand of the handlers, containers etc. are responsible for contamination. Contamination from raw materials and equipments, additional processing conditions, improper handling, prevalence of unhygienic conditions contributes substantially to the entry of bacterial pathogens in juices prepared from these fruits or vegetables (Oliveira et al. 2006; Nicolas et al. 2007). Water used for juice preparation can be a major source of microbial contaminants such as total coliforms, fecal coliforms, fecal streptococci etc. (Tasnim et al. 2010).

Street vended fruit juices and sherbets are found to sell in almost all areas of BELL University. There is a high demand of fresh fruit juices in BELL. Most of the time consumers are not conscious about the safety, quality, and hygiene of the drinks. It can be potential factor for food borne diseases. In view of the threat posed by the bacterial pathogens in street vended drinks and the flourishing demands of these drinks, the present study was undertaken to assess the bacteriological load and identity of freshly squeezed juices and their safety for human consumption in terms of bacterial pathogens.

1.2                                   PROBLEM STATEMENT

Smoothie drinks are prepared from a wide range of raw fruits and vegetables, using a blender. Smoothies are nowadays gaining popularity. Smoothie drinks are prepared from raw fruits and vegetables. Therefore, their microbiological safety depends on hygiene standards. Recent studies have shown that there is an increase in microorganism associated with smoothies. The presents of these microorganisms can cause sickness to consumers when these fruits are consumed. This study was carried out to identify these micro-organisms especially those that are pathogenic to humans so as to reduce the risk of contamination and infection arising from consuming smoothies.

1.3                                                     AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed at isolating, identifying and counting bacterial and fungal contaminants on smoothies sold at BELL University.

The objective are

1. To identify microorganisms associated with smoothies.
2. To study the effect of micro-organism on human health

• To study how micro- organism can be contacted from smoothies

1.4                                           HYPOTHESIS

HO:   Microbial organisms are identified in smoothies.

Hg     = Microorganisms are not identified in smoothies

1.5                                                PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of the present study was to carry out the test of micro-organism associated with smoothies which at the end will create awareness of the presents of microorganism in drinks we consumed.

 

1.7                             SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be useful to consumers of smoothies by creating awareness of the presents of microorganism in smoothies which at the end will promote well being of the students of the university.

1.8                                             LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

There are many different smoothies sold at the school environment, but in this study only few of them such as papaya juice, Kunu Zaki, sugarcane juice, lemon and apple were taken as samples.

1.9                                   RESEARCH QUESTIONS

At the end of this work, student involved shall be able to give answers to the following questions:

1. What are the 4 types of microorganisms?
2. What is microorganism?

• What are bacteria found in smoothies sold in BELL University?

1. What type of bacteria is commonly found in smoothies?

1.10                                               DEFINITION OF TERMS

i. Microorganism or microbe:  is an organism that is so small that it is microscopic (invisible to the naked eye).

ii. Microbiological contamination:  refers to the non-intended or accidental introduction of microbes such as bacteria, yeast, mould, fungi, virus, prions, protozoa or their toxins and by-products.

iii. Algae: A single-celled or multicellular eukaryotic, photosynthetic organism.

iv. Flagellum: A long thin appendage present on the surface of some cells such as bacteria and protoctista which enables them to move.