Bacteriological and physicochemical quality of bottled water produced in Tandil, Buenos Aires

YAMILA ZUASNABAR; CORINA IRIS RODRIGUEZ; ANAHÍ TABERA

Mar del Plata

Congreso; X Congreso Argentino de Microbiología General SAMIGE; 2014

Sociedad Argentina de Microbiología General (SAMIGE)

The consumption of bottled water is becoming increasing in Tandil mainly because tap water exceeds the recommended level of nitrate concentration for human consumption. There are four factories in Tandil that produce bottled water. The source is tap water obtained of groundwater and they apply reverse osmosis. This study is aimed to assess the bacteriological and physicochemical qualities for human consumption of four bottled water produced in Tandil. Bacteriological parameters analyzed included aerobic mesophilic bacteria, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, sulphite-reducing bacteria and Enterococcus sp. Physicochemical parameters included pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, hardness, bicarbonate, sulfate, chloride, nitrate, sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium. The results were compared with Argentinean Food Code which regulates bottled water quality for human consumption. Also, labels of bottles were analyzed in order to evaluate the fulfillment of required information and to compare with the results of quality analysis. Results showed that aerobic mesophilic bacteria were detected in four samples; but lower than legal levels. The others bacteria were not found in any case, however Klebsiella sp was isolated in one sample.The pH values were from 6.9 to 7.6. Electrical conductivity ranged from 160 to 370 μS/cm. Total dissolved solids varied from 150.6 to 230.22 mg/L and hardness were lower than 83.2 mg CO3Ca/L.All the ions analyzed were within the recommended limits. Considering that nitrate in groundwater of Tandil tap water exceeds 45 mg/L, we can determine that the four samples have low values due the application of treatments. Nevertheless, labels of bottles showed contents of nitrate below we determined. In conclusion, the four bottled water produced in Tandil were suitable for human consumption. However, it is necessary to improve the information for consumers presented in labels including other parameters as bacteriological information.