Microbial Evaluation and Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Isolates of Popular Sachet Water Brands Sold in Anambra State

Abstract

Aims: To determine the microbiological quality of 5 brands of sachet water popularly consumed in Anambra state. Study Design: To validate the level of water treatment, and determine the type of bacteria and fungi contaminants, level of contamination and presence of resistant pathogens in the sachet water brands. Place and Duration of Study: Samples were collected based on the popularity and availability from different cities (Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi) in Anambra state. Analyses of the samples were

Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns of Bacteria Isolated from Sachet-packaged Water Sold in Uyo Metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

“…The associated health risks from the consumption of unsafe drinking water vary throughout the world depending on the chemical or microbiological contaminants present in the environment [3]. Many of the bacteria isolated in water distribution systems are opportunistic pathogens.…”

“…It is expected that bacteria must not be found or detected in any 100 mL water sample. "Sachet water is not sterile" according to Linda [3]. Although, sachet water is assumed to be free from certain pathogens during treatment processes, presence of certain organisms are used to confirm the sterility of the water such as coliforms which act as indicator organisms used to assess the safety of water and thus give an idea of the degree of contamination associated with intake of such sachet water [4,5].…”

From curiosity to commodity: a review of the evolution of sachet drinking water in West Africa

“…Surface contamination, a potential pathway for illness because most consumers tear open the corner of the sachet for consumption with their teeth, has long been known to include organisms associated with wastewater that may originate in dirty vending containers or from inadequate personal hygiene of the vendor . Between 2011 and 2016, there have been studies assessing the effects of production handling, packaging, sunlight, storage and temperature, and brand on sachet quality, as well as the presence of radioactivity, phthalates, and antibiotic resistance . The first studies of African sachet water produced outside of Nigeria and Ghana have also appeared in the last 5 years with both positive and negative findings.…”

“…117 Between 2011 and 2016, there have been studies assessing the effects of production handling, 118 packaging, 119,120 sunlight, 121 storage and temperature, [122][123][124][125][126] and brand 87 on sachet quality, as well as the presence of radioactivity, 127,128 phthalates, 129 and antibiotic resistance. [130][131][132][133][134] The first studies of African sachet water produced outside of Nigeria and Ghana have also appeared in the last 5 years with both positive and negative findings. All 36 hand-tied bags (the predecessors of sachets) collected in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, were contaminated, with many carrying E. coli or Vibrio cholerae, 135 consistent with hand-filled bags having higher contamination rates than machine-filled bags in other studies.…”

“…Sachet water quality does seem to have reached an inflection point in Ghana sometime around 2010-2012, likely due to the industrialization of the industry that ushered in more hygienic production environments. Several recent studies have concluded sachet water to be within regulatory thresholds for the organism or compound tested 87,88,129,132,[145][146][147] or at least the safest of all locally available drinking water options. 45,59 Sachet water has also begun to be recognized in global reviews of drinking water quality.…”