Microbiological and Physicochemical Evaluation of Some Locally Produced Soft Drinks and Beverages Sold in Kumasi Metropolis in Ghana

Abstract

Locally produced soft drinks and beverages sold as street food in Ghana remains a growing industry providing daily food for most urban dwellers. Despite its high patronage, chemical and microbial contamination from the preparation and packaging raises concerns. The object of this research was to determine some physicochemical and microbial quality of “sobolo”, “emudro”, “zoomkoom”, “asaana”, “ fura da no-no” and “burkina” sold to three selected markets in Kumasi of Ghana. Ninety samples were aseptically purchased from Central, Tafo and Aboabo markets within Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and were assessed based
on standard laboratory methods for total coliform, Escherichia coli and yeast and mould counts. The physicochemical test also performed were pH and total soluble solids. Results from the study revealed microbial loads ranging from 5.0 to 155.0 log cfu/ml for the total coliform, 0-1.7 MPN/ml for the Escherichia coli and 0 to 4.3 log cfu/ml for the yeasts and moulds. The pHs of the drinks were all within the acidic range, of 3.1 to 4.3 The total soluble solids ranged from 6.8 to 12.6% for all samples. The study revealed that the pH value for local drinks were within acceptable limit, however the microbial counts from some of the samples
exceeded the maximum acceptable limits making the samples microbiologically unsafe for human consumption. Unhygienic manufacturing and vending processes could lead to the presence of these microbes.