Thesis. (M. Tech (Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied and Computer Science))--Vaal University of Technology, 2011. / Bottled water like any drinking water used for human consumption should be safe and wholesome to ensure adequate public health protection. This is due to potential health effects of concern such as endocrine disruption, toxicity teratogenicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. Despite the number of regulatory bodies, publications on bottled water and speculations on its public health significance, many questions remain to be answered. One of the questions is whether the shelf life of bottled water is a cause for concern. The aim of the study was to determine the shelf-life of various commercial bottled waters by monitoring the variation in microbiological, chemical and aesthetic qualities of bottled water. A total of five commercial bottled water brands (A, B, C, D, E) each containing bottles from the same batch consisting of spring water, mineral water and bottled tap water were purchased directly after being bottled from different distributors around Gauteng in South Africa. All samples were stored at room temperature with artificial lighting and controlled temperature for a year thus mimicking typical conditions in retail outlets, supermarkets and in homes. Analyses were conducted over a period of 12 months, at monthly intervals. Within days of being purchased, high Heterotrophic plate counts (HPC) bacteria exceeding drinking water alert level >5 000 cfu/ml was common in four bottled water brands. Growth succession occurred during the period of study as various algal species were growing and accumulating on all bottled water tested. Total coliforms (TC), faecal coliforms (FC) and E.coli were not detected in all the bottled water tested. Yeasts and moulds were also not detected in all the bottled water. There were insignificant variations during the period of study for turbidity, pH, TDS, conductivity, and colour. These did not indicate any potential impact on aesthetic quality of bottled water. Two bottled water brands had hardness measures as low as 11mg/ℓ as CaCO3 making the water too soft which has an effect on taste. Radioactive substances, trihalomethanes, heavy metals, pesticides and other chemical contaminants were not found at levels that can be detrimental to human health.

Submitted by Johnny Rodrigues (johnnyrodrigues@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-05-16T16:02:56Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ROMÉRCIA BATISTA DOS SANTOS - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGSA PROFISSIONAL 2013..pdf: 1113569 bytes, checksum: 29bd7b553a65415a734895bc13bc037a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-16T16:02:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ROMÉRCIA BATISTA DOS SANTOS - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGSA PROFISSIONAL 2013..pdf: 1113569 bytes, checksum: 29bd7b553a65415a734895bc13bc037a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-12-20 / O presente trabalho propôs correlacionar atividades agroindustriais com a saúde humana e ambiental, tendo o Perímetro Irrigado de São Gonçalo-PB, como local de estudo. Para isto analisou-se a água bruta e tratada oriunda do referido perímetro, através de parâmetros físico-químicos e microbiológicos, como objeto maior de investigação. A pesquisa caracteriza-se de natureza quantitativa, qualitativa e descritiva. Foram georreferenciados oito pontos de amostragem, sendo que quatro pontos foram de água bruta e quatro de água tratada. As coletas foram realizadas em 2012, durante seis meses, considerando abril, maio e junho como período de inverno e, outubro, novembro e dezembro como época de seca. Fez-se também um levantamento dos indicadores básicos das condições sanitárias e socioambientais que refletem diretamente na saúde humana e no ecossistema. Os resultados físicoquímicos e microbiológicos foram avaliados com base nas legislações vigentes. Assim, foi possível constatar que tanto as amostras da água bruta e tratada, em relação aos atributos físico-químicos, estes se mantiveram dentro dos limites permitidos (Res. CONAMA 375/05 e Portaria MS nº2914/11, respectivamente). Os resultados microbiológicos constataram presença de coliformes, de presença total e termotolerantes para as amostras de água bruta, em ambos os períodos de inverno e verão. O critério de balneabilidade para estas mesmas águas apresentaram aspectos satisfatórios para o ponto A3 e A4 (ver pontos de análise) e impróprias para os pontos A6 e A8 (Res. CONAMA 274/2000). Assim, as águas tratadas revelaram focos de contaminação microbiológica em todos os pontos, observadas as delimitações da Portaria MS 2914/2011, pela presença de coliformes totais. As amostras de águas tratadas revelaram que nos núcleos habitacionais II e III (NHII-2 e NHIII-2) apontaram valores de Número Mais Provável (NMP) de coliformes totais e termotolerantes elevados, acreditando-se que tal contaminação esteja atribuída à má manutenção da rede hidráulica, e/ou higienização ineficiente. É importante informar que a média de chuvas no ano de 2012, período da pesquisa, foi abaixo do esperado, contribuindo para um decréscimo significativo em relação ao volume total em metros cúbicos (m³) do açude de São Gonçalo. Tal situação é preocupante, pois, a diminuição das águas é um indicador de eutrofização. Após análise, foi possível concluir que tais situações, como, por exemplo, o abastecimento e tratamento de água, destino dos dejetos e dos resíduos sólidos, refletem uma condição de prédisposição da população as doenças como também podem comprometer as atividades agroindustriais desenvolvidas no perímetro irrigado em estudo. / This paper proposed agribusiness activities correlate with human and environmental health, and the Irrigated Perimeter of São Gonçalo - PB, as a study. For this we analyzed the raw and treated water coming from said perimeter, through physical, chemical and microbiological parameters, such as increased under investigation. The research is characterized quantitative, qualitative and descriptive nature. Eight sampling were geocoded, and four points were raw water and treated water four. The collections were made in 2012, for six months, for April, May and June as period and reverse, October, November and December as the dry season. And he made a survey of the basic indicators of health and environmental conditions that directly influence human health and the ecosystem. The physico-chemical and microbiological outcomes were assessed based on the current legislation. Thus, it was found that both samples of raw water and treated in relation to physico-chemical properties, these remained within permitted limits (CONAMA Resolution 375/05 and MS Portaria No. 2914/11, respectively). The microbiological results found presence of coliforms, total and thermotolerant presence for raw water samples, in both winter and summer periods. The criteria for bathing waters showed satisfactory these same aspects for the A3 and A4 point (see point analysis) and unfit for A6 and A8 points (CONAMA Resolution 274/2000). Thus, the treated water showed foci of microbial contamination at all points, observing the boundaries of the MS 2914/2011, by the presence of total coliforms. Samples of treated water showed that the housing units II and III (and NHIII-2 NHII-2) showed values of more than Probable Number (MPN) of total coliforms and thermotolerant high, it is believed that such contamination is attributed to poor maintenance the hydraulic network, and / or inefficient cleaning. It is important to mention that the average rainfall in 2012, survey period, was lower than expected, contributing to a significant decrease in the total volume in cubic meters ( m³ ) Açude of São Gonçalo. This situation is worrying because, with the decrease of water promotes the process of eutrophication. After analysis of the indicators, it was concluded that such situations, for example, the supply and treatment of water, Sewage facilities and solid waste, reflect a pre-condition to the population as diseases can also compromise the agribusiness activities developed in the irrigated area under study.