Dept. of Botany, Faculty of Science, Univ. of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
J Food Sci. 2012 Mar;77(3):M160-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2011.02588.x.
Use of bottled water in Sri Lanka has increased over the last decade, while new brands of bottled water are often introduced to the market. However, the manufacturers' adherence to bottled water regulations is questionable, raising concerns regarding the quality of bottled water. The objective of the current study was to investigate the microbiological and chemical quality of bottled water in Sri Lanka. Thirty bottled water brands were sampled and their chemical and microbiological parameters were analyzed. Microbiological analysis was carried out within 1 to 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 9, and 9 to 12 mo after the date of manufacture. The results indicated that 63% of brands tested exceeded the levels permitted by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) for presumptive total coliforms (TC) (<10 cfu per 100 mL) whereas 97% brands exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) permitted level. Thirty percent of brands exceeded the limit for presumptive fecal coliforms (FC) (0 cfu per 100 mL in accordance with WHO permitted levels, SLSI and the Sri Lanka Health Ministry requirement). Eighty percent of brands showed higher heterotrophic plate counts (HPC) which exceeded the WHO guidelines for bottled drinking water. Throughout their shelf life, the counts of TC, FC, and HPC bacteria decreased. Bacteria identified were Klebsiella pneumoniae ssp. pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Pasteurella haemolytica, the most frequently being P. aeruginosa. The dominant fungi identified were Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp. Inorganic chemical parameters were within permitted levels for all brands except for initial content of ammonia. The results of this study show the need for the bottling industry to be monitored closely by relevant authorities, in order to provide safe bottled drinking water to consumers in Sri Lanka.
在过去十年中，斯里兰卡的瓶装水使用量有所增加，同时经常有新品牌的瓶装水推向市场。然而，制造商对瓶装水规定的遵守情况值得怀疑，这引发了对瓶装水质量的担忧。本研究的目的是调查斯里兰卡瓶装水的微生物和化学质量。采集了 30 个瓶装水品牌的样本，并分析了它们的化学和微生物参数。微生物分析在生产日期后 1 至 3 个月、3 至 6 个月、6 至 9 个月和 9 至 12 个月进行。结果表明，63%的测试品牌超过了斯里兰卡标准协会（SLSI）规定的总大肠菌群（TC）允许水平（<10 cfu/100 mL），而 97%的品牌超过了世界卫生组织（WHO）允许的水平。30%的品牌超过了暂定粪大肠菌群（FC）的限值（根据 WHO 允许水平、SLSI 和斯里兰卡卫生部的要求，每 100 毫升为 0 cfu）。80%的品牌显示出更高的异养平板计数（HPC），超过了世卫组织瓶装饮用水指南。在整个保质期内，TC、FC 和 HPC 细菌的数量减少。鉴定出的细菌有肺炎克雷伯菌、阴沟肠杆菌、铜绿假单胞菌和多杀巴斯德菌，其中最常见的是铜绿假单胞菌。鉴定出的主要真菌有曲霉属和青霉属。除初始氨含量外，所有品牌的无机化学参数均在允许范围内。本研究结果表明，有必要由相关当局密切监测瓶装水行业，以便向斯里兰卡消费者提供安全的瓶装饮用水。
