Asuzu Eleanor, Chukwu Martin-Remy and Mbachu Joy Adaku
Background and Objective: Over the years, numerous studies have been conducted on the possible links between canned drink intake and medical problems. The qualitative assessment of microorganisms on the surfaces of canned drinks sold within FUTO environment and its health implications were evaluated in this study.
Materials and Methods: A total of twenty canned drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic brands) were collected from the refrigerator and the packs of retailer’s shop. Standard microbiological methods were adopted using Gram staining, biochemical tests and lacto phenol cotton blue staining.
Results: The canned drinks from refrigerator showed total viable bacterial count which ranged from 2.0 × 10 1 cfu to 1.4× 102 cfu while total fungal count ranged from 2.0× 10 1 cfu to 4.0 × 10 1 cfu were recorded. There was no coliform and total Staphylococci count recorded. The canned drinks from the packs showed total viable bacterial count ranged from 2.0× 10 1 cfu to 4.0 × 10 2 cfu, total coliform count recorded ranged from 1.0× 10 1 cfu to 4.0 × 10 1 cfu, while total Staphylococci count ranged from 1.0× 10 1 cfu to 4.0 × 10 1 cfu. Total fungal count ranged from 2.0× 10 1 cfu to 8.0 × 10 1 cfu. Bacillus species had the highest bacterial occurrence while Aspergillus species had the highest fungi occurrence (40.7%). Corynebacterium, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Klebsiella were resistant to Norfloxacin while Micrococcus species were resistant to chloramphenicol, Norfloxacin and streptomycin. Penicillium and Aspergillus species were resistant to both ketonazole and fluconazole antifungal drugs. The implications of antibiotic resistance on healthcare systems are enormous as resistance leads to limitation of treatment options. Antibiotic resistance leads to higher medical costs, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality.
Conclusion: This research demonstrated that no relationship exists between the physical appearance of canned drink sold at FUTO and its microbial load. Some of the isolated microbes were of public health importance. There is need to ensure proper washing of the surfaces of canned drinks before refrigeration and consumption.
Published Date: 2022-04-08; Received Date: 2022-02-04
