Abstract
Aim and Objective: The objective of the present study is to determine microbial contamination in fresh and packaged commercial fruit juices (including a combination of Aloe vera with fruit juices) available in the Ahmedabad city of Gujarat, India.
 Materials and Methods: Seventeen samples were collected from various parts of the city which includes 9 commercial fruit juice samples and 8 street vended fresh fruit juice samples. Samples were examined for Total plate count, Yeast and mould count, coliform count, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella, Enterobacteriaceae, Listeria monocytogens and Vibrio Cholerae.
 Results: Commercial fruit juices do not exceed the FSSAI standards for fruit juices and are free of harmful pathogens making themsafe for human consumption. Street vended fresh fruit juice samples exceedthe FSSAI limit for Total Plate count, Yeast and mould count and Coliform count. Street vended Fresh fruit juices demonstratethepresence of Ecoli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus in 75% (6/8) samples. Enterobacteriaceae were identified in street vended fruit juices which exceeds the FSSAI standard limit.
 Conclusion: The study demonstrates that commercial fruit juices were safe for human consumption but fresh juices showed significant microbial growth and harmful pathogens which must be controlled to ensure consumer’s safety and health. However regular monitoring of commercial and fresh fruit juices is recommended to avoid food borne illness resulting from pathogens encountered in the study.
Highlights
Fruit juices are considered as one of the important sources of carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and several proteins and included as the part of diet due to its nutritional values [1]
There may be chances of preliminary contamination by rotten fruits which are used for preparation, improper washing of fruits as well as contamination by vendors during preparation, handling and cross contamination.Processing equipments used for the preparation of fresh fruit juice should be cleaned properly to minimize microbial contamination.The present study aims to evaluate commercial fruit juices and fresh fruit juices for microbial contamination and their outcome on consumers health
Yeast and mould count and Coliform count exceeds the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) standards.The results demonstrate 75% (6/8) of fresh fruit juice samples were contaminated with one or the other foodborne pathogens
Summary
Fruit juices are considered as one of the important sources of carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and several proteins and included as the part of diet due to its nutritional values [1]. These juices are either commercial fruit juices or homemade or street vended fresh fruit juices obtained from variety of fruits. Fresh or unpasteurized juice are more preferred because of the fresh flavor and low cost These fresh juices offer favourable condition for the growth of various types ofmicrobes,some of them may be pathogenic for human. Contamination in food may result into many health problems; ranging from mild health problems to serious incident of food poisoning
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