Investigating the Effect of UV Treatment on the Microbial Profile and Quality Stability of Natural Mineral Water During Storage

This study investigated the microbiological stability of commercially bottled mineral water compared to untreated raw spring water under controlled storage conditions (۵_x۰۰۱۷_۶C and ۲۵_x۰۰۱۷_۶C) over a ۳۰-day period. Microbiological analyses were performed at ۱۰-day intervals using selective culture media (VRB, SPS, LSB, Cetrimide Agar, KF) to detect indicator organisms including coliforms, Clostridium perfringens, presumptive Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and enterococci. The UV-sterilized bottled water exhibited no detectable microbial growth (۰ CFU/۱.۵L) across all media, temperatures, and time points, confirming the efficacy of the industrial disinfection and aseptic packaging process. In contrast, raw spring water demonstrated a baseline microbial load at day ۰, with significant proliferation observed over time, particularly at ۲۵_x۰۰۱۷_۶C. Notably, counts of P. aeruginosa and enterococci increased by up to ۳۰۰% under ambient storage conditions. pH remained stable in both samples (range: ۷.۵۱-۷.۷۱), indicating that microbial dynamics were not influenced by chemical shifts. These findings underscore the critical importance of validated disinfection protocols and temperature-controlled storage in ensuring the microbiological safety of bottled water products, and highlight the inherent risks associated with the consumption of untreated spring water without immediate use or proper preservation (Meyer et al., ۲۰۲۰; WHO, ۲۰۲۱).

کلیدواژه ها:

UV treatment ، mineral water microbial profile ، fecal indicators ، microbiological quality ، storage stability