Microbiological quality of bottled water in El Salvador 2014 - 2015.

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the microbiological quality of bottled water marketed in El Salvador, based on national regulations. Methodology. Cross sectional study. A secondary analysis of a database containing 1544 water samples was carried out. The samples were obtained during the monitoring of microbiological quality of bottled water marketed throughout the country. All samples underwent microbiological analysis for fecal coliforms, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, mesophilic heterotrophic bacteria and pathogenic organisms. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 24 software. The results obtained from the samples were compared with the limits established by the Salvadorean mandatory guidelines NSO 13.07.02: 08. Results. 99.7% of the samples showed total coliforms under the maximum permissible limit (˂1.1 Most Probable Number / 100ml). 100% of the samples were negative for fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli. 97.4% of the samples showed total heterotrophic, aerobic and mesophilic bacteria counts within the maximum permissible limit. Conclusions: The majority of bottled water marketed by El Salvador complies with Salvadoran regulations for quality of bottled water, regarding counts of microorganisms. However, there are brands with contamination by microorganisms, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Alerta Year 2018, Vol. 1 No. 1: 26-34