“Calidad microbiológica de las aguas embotelladas en frascos de 20l que se expenden en la ciudad de Ambato”

Abstract

The consumption of bottled drinking water has increased during the last decade, however, the quality that can be offered to the consumer is unknown. It is essential for life, all living beings need water. However, for it to be suitable for human consumption, it must meet certain criteria, for this reason various methods have been designed to eliminate toxic compounds and potentially pathogenic microorganisms that may be present in drinking water. In the present study the microbiological quality of bottled water was evaluated in 20L flasks marketed in the city of Ambato, using 3M Petrifilm plates and in addition, the physicochemical parameters and their labeling were also analyzed. Samples taken from distributors of eight brands were analyzed and it was determined if they comply with the Ecuadorian NTE INEN 2200: 2008 norms and the Peruvian norm NTS Nº 071-MINSA / DIGESA-V.01 established for bottled waters for human consumption. The following parameters were analyzed: labeling, total dissolved solids, pH, electrical conductivity, as well as the count of Enterobacteria, E. coli and coliforms. The results obtained for the labeling parameters established that none of the watermarks complies. The chemical physical parameters analyzed were within the permissible limits of Standard NTE INEN 2200: 2008, the microbial count was zero for sample M1 and the seven additional samples show counts that exceed the norm for the count of Enterobacteria, E. coli and coliforms. Therefore, only the M1 brand meets the water quality criteria and is suitable for human consumption.