Assessment of microbiological quality of some drinks sold in the streets of Dhaka University Campus in Bangladesh

Abstract

Abstract Background Various kinds of fruit juices and sherbets sold by the street vendors are widely consumed in Dhaka city. These street vended fruit juices and sherbets 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 sherbets and their safety for human consumption in terms of pathogens. Result For the study purpose papaya juice, sugarcane juice, tukmaria sherbet, lemon sherbet and wood apple sherbet 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 tukmaria sherbet was most contaminated with a count of 9 × 108 cfu/ml. The least contamination was observed in lemon sherbet. A count of 1.98 × 106 cfu/ml was observed in papaya juice and 3.4 × 105 cfu/ml was in wood apple sherbet. Total coliforms were present in all samples and average count for total coliforms was high in tukmaria sherbets 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. Conclusion 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.