Effect of Preservation on the Quality of Sachet Water consumed by Households in Nsukka Zone

Abstract

The paper investigated the effect of preservation on the quality of sachet water consumed by the households in Nsukka Zone of Enugu state, Nigeria. The reason being that portable water is needed by the body and may lead to poor health problems, if poorly preserved. Four brands of sachet water were randomly selected from the seventeen brands identified in the zone. The water samples were stored at two storage environments (indoor and outdoor) and time durations were as follows: day one (as control); 2 weeks; 5weeks and 8 weeks. The samples were coded as MCW, DOW, and ETW. The samples were examined in both sensory and microbial count before they were stored in their storage environments and assessed at the treatment time durations respectively using standard analytical methods. At each treatment, time duration,48 samples of water were analyzed. The findings showed that, there were no significant difference (P<0.05) in the mean values at indoor storage environment for odour, and for taste, but there was a  significant difference (P<0.05) in two brands at outdoor storage environment in odour, and in taste. A significant difference existed at the four brands stored. There was also a significant difference (P<0.05) in the mean values of coliform. Mould count also had significant difference (P<0.05) in their mean values. From the findings, it was established that all brands of sachet water produced in the zone had E. coli at day one, which is an indication of faecal contamination and indoor had the best taste and odour at two weeks and also better in microbial content.

Key words: Preservation, Quality, Sachet, Potable