Friday, September 10, 2021

WATER SAFETY: HOW LONG SHOULD SACHET WATER BE STORED FOR DRINKING

 

You can store your sachet and bottled water up to 4 weeks from the date of production. A 4 – 12 weeks shelf life for packaged drinking water is recommended.

Water is life and every living thing depends on it for existence. Sachet water has gradually become the most widely consumed liquid in Nigeria with varying qualities.

Olaniyan and others of the Department of Civil Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State Nigeria studied Ten (10) brands of sachet water from Ogbomoso South and North Local government area and recommended 12 weeks shelf life of water from the date of production.

Akpen and others of the Department of Civil Engineering, University Of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State analyzed eight brands of sachet water and four brands of bottled water samples were collected from different manufacturers at Gboko town, Benue State. They recommended 12 weeks shelf life.

Akinde and others of the Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Osun State University evaluated the effect of storage on the physico-chemical status and bacteriological quality of sachet water produced in Port Harcourt. 10 brands of sachet water was studied and recommended that expiry date of sachet water produced in Nigeria should not exceed four weeks from the date of production

Highlight of scholarly work

Olaniyan et.al, 2016 investigated the temporal variation in water quality of Sachet water produced in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Ten (10) brands of sachet water from Ogbomoso South and North Local government area were collected within 24 hours of production and stored at standard room temperature and conditions. Sub-samples were drawn from the stock samples on daily basis for physico-chemical measurements on the water samples Temperature, pH, colour, turbidity, Hardness, Total Alkalinity, Dissolve Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Nitrate - C, (7.96 - 8.80) and (20-70) Hazen, respectively. The Total hardness EC and DO and BOD values varied from (45- 105)mg/l, (11 - 184)µs, (2.83 - 12.24)mg/L and (18.2 - 28.4)mg/l, respectively. Shelf life for the selected sachet water in Ogbomoso is 12 weeks from the date of production under laboratory condition with partial exposure to sunlight.

Akpen et.al, 2018 evaluated the quality of selected sachet and bottled water produced and sold within Gboko town, Benue State was investigated to determine their Shelf life. Eight brands of sachet water and four brands of bottled water samples were collected from different manufacturers within 24 hours and stored at ambient temperature. Sub-samples were drawn from the stock samples at intervals of three weeks up to a period of 15 weeks and subjected to physical, chemical and microbial examination. Results for physical and chemical analysis revealed that all the samples examined were wholesome by the 12th week of study except, samples K4and B4 (Wishden sachet and bottled water) which had iron contents of 0.50 mg/L and 0.53 mg/L respectively which were above WHO Standard value of 0.30 mg/L. Total and Escherichia coliforms appeared in all sachet water samples and three bottled water samples analyzed within the first 6 weeks but were no longer detected in any of the samples from the 12th week to the end of the investigation period. The highest total coliform of 21 MPN/100mL and Escherichia coli of17 cfu/100mL were recorded on the first day of production of sachet water. It was concluded that some sachet water products consumed in Gboko were not safe for drinking within the first 12 weeks of production. It was recommended that sachet and bottled water produced and consumed in Gboko can be used from the 3 and 12 weeks after production respectively up to 15 weeks. However, there is need to investigate the shelf life beyond 15 weeks to determine the actual shelf life which may be more than 15 weeks.

Akinde et.al, 2011 highlighted the effect of storage on the physico-chemical status and bacteriological quality of sachet water produced in Port Harcourt, Nigeria for a period of four months. Ten brands of sachet water were collected within 24 hours of production and stored at ambient temperature. Sub-samples were drawn from the stock samples on monthly basis for physico-chemical measurement and on weekly basis for enumeration of total aerobic heterotrophic bacteria and indicator organisms using ASTM, APHA and WHO analytical methods. pH values increased in all brands to acceptable WHO limits within 8 weeks of storage and gradually decreased toward the end of the experiment. Dissolved oxygen, volatile organic matter and nitrate values decreased throughout the investigation period while phosphate and potassium values increased throughout the investigation period in all brands tested. Total aerobic heterotrophic bacterial count increased gradually in all brands to unacceptable limit within four weeks of storage and gradually diminished to zero level by the end of experiment. Total and faecal coliform appeared in 40% of sachet water samples analyzed within the first three weeks and were no longer detected throughout the investigation period. Escherichia coli was isolated in one brand at the onset while faecal Streptococci were absent throughout the investigation period. Results of the experiment indicate that 60% of the brands analyzed met the WHO guideline limit for drinking when stored at ambient temperature within four week period. However, storage beyond this period led to diminished aesthetic quality of sachet water and increased proliferation of bacteria to a level deleterious to human health.

References

1.   Olaniyan, S. O.,  A. S. Adeyemi and W.O. Adeleke (2016): Determination of Shelf Life of Selected Sachet Water in Ogbomoso, Oyo State Nigeria. FUOYE Journal of Engineering and Technology, Volume 1, Issue 1. ISSN: 2579-0625 (Online), 2579-0617 (Paper)

2.    Akpen, G. D., I. S. Kpoghol and L. A. Oparaku (2018): Quality Assessment Of Sachet and Bottled Water Soldin Gboko, Benue State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Technology (NIJOTECH) Vol. 37, No. 1, pp. 241 – 248

3.    Akinde, S. B., M. I. Nwachukwu and A. S. Ogamba (2011): Storage Effects on the Quality of Sachet Water Produced within Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria. Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences. Volume 4, Number 3, ISSN 1995-6673 Pages 157 - 164


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