Analyses of the physicochemical and microbiological qualities of selected sachet water brands in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyzed the physicochemical and microbiological qualities of five sachet water brands that are
mostly consumed in Onitsha. The researchers used respective meters for the physical parameters, an atomic
absorption spectrophotometer machine for the heavy metal determinations and streak-plate method for the
determination of microbiological parameters. The five sachet water brands that were used for the study were
elicited from the respondents in Onitsha using a questionnaire. Averaged results of the physicochemical
parameters showed that pH yielded 5.56, electrical conductivity yielded 0.2286μS/m, turbidity yielded
0.0058NTU, total dissolved solids yielded 54.28mg/l and total suspended solids yielded 35.3mg/l. In addition,
averaged results of the heavy metal parameters showed that lead yielded 0.0108mg/l, cadmium yielded
0.0284mg/l, copper yielded 0.0386mg/l, iron yielded 2.15mg/l, zinc yielded 0.738mg/l, chromium yielded
0.0412mg/l and cobolt yielded 0.0902mg/l. Results of the microbiological parameters showed that for total
count, Olek yielded 79 x 103MPN/100ml, Nation yielded 48 x 103MPN/100ml, De-beste yielded 19 x
104MPN/100ml, Jemok yielded 66 x 103MPN/100ml and Aqua-Rapha yielded 98 x 102MPN/100ml. The
study recommended that the qualities of sachet water brands should be in line with NSDWQ standards with a
view to raising standard in the industry and reassuring the public of the safety of these products for public
consumption.

Keywords: analyses, microbiological, Onitsha, physicochemical, quality, sachet water.