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Fungal spoilage of bottled mineral water

Daniel Cabral1, PintoVirginiaE Fernández

  • 1Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Argentina.

International Journal of Food Microbiology
|February 15, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Filamentous fungi were detected in bottled mineral water in Argentina. While most samples were safe, a few contained faecal streptococci, indicating potential contamination risks.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Food Science
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Bottled mineral water is a widely consumed beverage susceptible to microbial contamination.
  • Filamentous fungi can impact water quality and indicate potential spoilage or contamination.
  • Assessing fungal presence alongside bacteriological parameters is crucial for ensuring water safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the occurrence and types of filamentous fungi in bottled mineral water.
  • To evaluate bacteriological parameters in conjunction with fungal contamination.
  • To determine the microbiological safety of commercial bottled mineral water brands in Argentina.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 126 still bottled mineral water samples from eight commercial brands.
  • Microbiological assessment including isolation and identification of filamentous fungi.
  • Bacteriological testing for parameters such as faecal streptococci.

Main Results:

  • Spoiled samples with visible mycelium growth frequently yielded Penicillium citrinum, P. glabrum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, and Alternaria alternata.
  • Unspoiled samples contained fungal genera including Penicillium, Cladosporium, Rhizopus, Aspergillus, and Phoma.
  • Only three of 126 samples did not meet microbiological standards due to the presence of faecal streptococci.

Conclusions:

  • Filamentous fungi are present in bottled mineral water, with specific species associated with spoilage.
  • While most samples met microbiological standards, the presence of faecal streptococci in a few highlights potential contamination pathways.
  • Routine microbiological monitoring is essential for maintaining the safety and quality of bottled mineral water.

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