Chemical characterization of Bulgarian bottled mineral waters

Bulgaria is one of the countries in the world richest in mineral waters of natural origin, unique composition and drinking qualities. According to the National Register of the Ministry of Health (2019) 22 companies bottle natural mineral waters in Bulgaria.Although the quality of drinking water depends to a large extent on its microelement composition, only limited data are available about trace element content in Bulgarian bottled mineral waters.In this study, 17 Bulgarian and eight imported mineral water brands purchased from commercial Bulgarian network have been studied. Using ICP-MS, a simultaneous determination of macro- and microcomponents in bottled mineral waters has been performed. The water samples were analyzed for 69 chemical elements, most of which are not considered by Bulgarian and/or European legislation with no data available so far.Multivariate statistical analysis (cluster and discriminant) grouped the water samples according to their type in three clusters HCO₃-Ca-Mg-SO₄ type; HCO₃-Na type; HCO₃-Na-SO₄ and HCO₃- Na-Si-SO₄ types and an outlier is HCO₃-Na-Ca-Si type with CO₂.Concentration cadasters were used to present the element distribution of the studied Bulgarian brands, which allows easy comparison among the studied waters.     

天然矿泉水淡水藻类污染检验方法研究

采用天然矿泉水淡水藻类的检验方法，在采自福建省各地区的２０２份样品中检出４２份阳性，共１５属藻类。这些藻在自然界淡水中常见。该方法独特之处是将浓缩培养基直接加入水样瓶中。然后，在培养过程中保持散射光照低于５０００Ｌｘ。瓶中样品的静置，有助于藻类从水处理造成的损伤中恢复。５～１０天后，绿色或蓝绿色的藻细胞将形成明显的斑点或沉淀。经镜检分类，检出了绿藻、蓝藻等１５个属。比较了５种培养基，以改良克诺普液使用效果最好。此培养基容易配制和应用，藻类生长快，观察方便。     

Comparison of the bacteriological quality of tap water and bottled mineral water

The bacteriological quality of tap water from municipal water supplies, 20-L bottles of mineral water from water dispensers and samples collected from new 20-L bottles of mineral water were comparatively studied. Total coliforms, termotolerant coliforms, Escherichia coli, fecal streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus spp. and heterotrophic plate count were enumerated. The results showed that 36.4% of the tap water samples from municipal water systems and 76.6% of the 20-L bottles of mineral water from water dispensers were contaminated by at least one coliform or indicator bacterium and/or at least one pathogenic bacterium. The bacteriological quality of municipal tap water is superior when compared with the 20-L bottles of mineral water collected from water dispensers and samples collected from new 20-L bottles of mineral water before installation in the dispensers. This highlights the need for an improved surveillance system for the bottled water industry. For the municipal water systems, it is recommended to perform the Pseudomonas enumeration periodically, in addition to the routine data collected by most systems.     

Survey of the chemical composition of 571 European bottled mineral waters

As part of the European TRACE project (Tracing Food commodities in Europe, VI FP, Contract N. 006942), this paper provides a wide-ranging survey of the chemical composition of 571 mineral waters bottled and marketed in 23 European countries, and discusses 39 compositional parameters (specific electric conductivity, pH, hardness, total alkalinity, ammonia, chloride, fluoride, nitrate, nitrite, sulphate, Ca, K, Mg, Na, Al, B, Ba, Cd, Ce, Co, Cs, Cu, La, Li, Lu, Mn, Mo, Nd, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sm, Sr, Tl, U, V, Yb, Zn) mainly referring to legal limits and nutritional implications. According to European legislation 58.1% of samples could be defined as ‘suitable for a low-sodium diet’ while 8.1% could be defined as ‘containing sodium’, 13.7% could be labelled as ‘containing magnesium’, 10.2% as ‘containing fluoride’, 4.9% as ‘containing chloride’, 13.5% as ‘containing sulphate’ and 17.5% as ‘containing calcium’. 2.8% of samples did not conform with European Community limits for at least one parameter (Se, NO₂⁻, Mn, Ni, Ba, F and NO₃⁻). About 9% of samples had boron, nitrate or nitrite levels above the legal limit existing in individual European countries.     

A microbiological study of bottled mineral water marketed in Ludhiana

The microbiological quality of bottled mineral water marketed in Ludhiana was examined, Twenty three brands were analyzed for presumptive coliform count by multiple tube tests, and E. coli count was confirmed by Eijkman test. Bacterial and fungal loads were tested by membrane filtration test. Out of 23 only one sample (4.4%) showed the presumptive coliform count to be 460 most probable number (MPN)l 1 00ml,and 1 was found to be positive when tested by Eijkman test for Ecoli. In the membrane filtration test three samples (13%) showed more than two types of bacteria. Different types of bacteria isolated included Bacillus sp (19/23). Pseudomonas spp (13123), Ecoli, Klebsiella sp and S.albus one each Fungi was isolated from five of twenty three. (22%) samples. Only one brand of mineral water was unfit for human consumption. The rest of the samples were contaminated with non pathogenic flora.     

Evolution of microbial flora and organic matter in bottled mineral water

A 15-week survey was carried out by the authors in order to detect the total microbial count and the quantity of organic matter in mineral waters bottled in dark glass containers and stored at room temperature. Two different and significant increases were registered at the 2nd and 11th week respectively. A relation between microbial count and organic matter was observed during the period examined.     

Halogenated volatile organic compounds in bottled mineral water and soft drinks

74 mineral natural water samples and 56 samples of different commercial drinks have been analysed by head-space chromatography in order to evidence the presence of volatile halogenated organic compounds (VHO). Trihalomethanes (THM) as drinking water chlorination by-products and trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene as ubiquitarious substances have been investigated. The presence of VHO has been evidenced in 20,3% of mineral natural water samples and in the 58,9% of the commercial soft drinks: this latest group has usually shown higher levels of the investigated compounds. The results of the present study has been compared with a similar study performed in 1991 in the same area: the VHO values observed in the present study appear to be lower than those obtained in the previous study.     

Evaluation of pharmacodynamic properties of medium-mineralized alkaline water designed for distribution as bottled natural mineral water

Basing on the carried-out investigations it has been shown that the alkaline water from "Papro?" source in Tymbark indicates a biological activity. Applied in rats orally, in an appropriate dose through the period of 30 days, it causes a statistically significant increase of the pH of urine and blood, of the level of uric acid in urine and a statistic lowering of the levels of calcium and potassium in the blood serum. The investigated water shows diuretic activity, neutralizes and inhibits gastric juice secretion in people, affects the peristaltic movements of the smooth muscles of the small intestine of the rabbit. No effect of that water on the elements of the protein metabolism, the fat metabolism, on the smear and the morphological composition of the peripheral blood of rats, on the excretion of bile in guinea pigs has been observed.     

The bacteriological quality of bottled natural mineral waters

Fifty-eight bottles of natural mineral water, taken from the point of sale, were bacteriologically examined. No coliforms or Aeromonas sp. were isolated from any sample. High total bacterial counts were found particularly in the still waters. Most of the organisms isolated in the total counts were Gram-negative rods, but Gram-positive organisms were also isolated. Gram-positive cocci were further identified, some of which were known human commensals suggesting contamination of the waters prior to bottling.     

Bacteriological quality and risk assessment of the imported and domestic bottled mineral water sold in Fiji

Considering the popularity of bottled mineral water among indigenous Fijians and tourists alike, a study was carried out to determine the bacteriological quality of different bottled waters. A risk assessment was also carried out. Seventy-five samples of bottled mineral water belonging to three domestic brands and 25 samples of one imported brand were analysed for heterotrophic plate count (HPC) bacteria and faecal coliforms. HPC counts were determined at 22°C and 37°C using R2A medium and a membrane filtration technique was used to determine the faecal coliform (FC) load in 100 ml of water on mFC agar. Between 28 and 68% of the samples of the various domestic brands failed to meet the WHO standard of 100 colony forming units (cfu) per 100 ml at 22°C and 7% of these also tested positive for faecal coliforms. All imported bottled mineral water samples were within WHO standards. A risk assessment of the HPC bacteria was carried out in terms of beta haemolytic activity and antibiotic resistance. More than 50% of the isolates showed beta haemolytic activity and were multi-drug resistant. While the overall quality of the product was generally good, there is a need to enforce stringent quality standards for the domestic bottlers to ensure the safety of consumers.     

Authenticity of bottled water chemical composition inferred from brand labels: example of the Lebanese market

To date, no emphasis has been given to the quality of chemical composition of purchased bottled water as deduced from brand labels. Declared information ought to provide customers with facts and realistic figures to the best possible extent; however, contradiction is often oddly noticeable when hydrochemical data is screened for accuracy. This impeaches the authenticity of the brand and raises doubts about its credibility. Reviewing the truth of the water quality is quite easy based on the registered labels. Charge balance (CB) within a water sample and calculated total dissolved solids (TDS_c) derived from major constituents announced on brand label are two straightforward proxies to the quality of water analyses. The example of the Lebanese market shows that 47% of the recognized local brands miss the CB of the water chemical analysis, and 65% declare significantly lower TDS values compared to TDS_c. In addition, comparing lab measurements of Cl- and TDS to label concentrations reveal more than 25% variance for the majority of the studied brands, which confirms inaccurate announcements. These results criticize the reported labels, and call for more strict regulations in labeling procedures to ensure transparent, realistic and reliable claims.     

Heavy metals in bottled natural spring water

New regulations regarding the presence of contaminants in bottled water went into effect in California in January 2009. These requirements include testing, reporting, and notification to regulate the presence of heavy metals in bottled natural spring water sold in California. In the study described in this article, six sources of bottled natural spring water were purchased and analyzed for silver, arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, lead, antimony, selenium, thallium, vanadium, and zinc. All of these metals except beryllium, mercury, and thallium were detected in at least one of the bottled natural spring water sources. No concentrations were above either federal or California maximum contaminant levels but arsenic concentrations exceeded California public health goals in all six sources. Improving the California notification requirements for bottled water contaminants would result in a process more similar to the notification process for tap water and would result in better-informed consumers.     

Fluoride and bacterial content of bottled water vs tap water

CONTEXT: Bottled water has become a status symbol and is frequently used in place of tap water. While both waters are considered safe to drink, is either more beneficial in preventing tooth decay and is there a difference in purity? OBJECTIVE: To determine the fluoride level and bacterial content of commercially bottled waters municipal tap water and to compare the results. DESIGN: Comparative study. SETTING: Cleveland, Ohio. SAMPLE: Fifty-seven samples of 5 categories of bottled waters were purchased from local stores. Samples of tap water were collected in sterile containers from the 4 local water processing plants. Fluoride levels were determined by an ion-selective electrode method. Water was cultured quantitatively and levels of bacteria were calculated as colony-forming units (CFUs) per milliliter. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Fluoride levels and bacterial counts. RESULTS: Fluoride levels within the range recommended for drinking water by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, 0.80 to 1.30 mg/L, were found in only 3 samples of bottled water tested. The fluoride levels of tap water samples were within 0.04 mg/L of the optimal fluoride level of 1.00 mg/L. The bacterial counts in the bottled water samples ranged from less than 0.01 CFU/mL to 4900 CFUs/mL, including 6 samples with levels substantially above 1000 CFUs/mL. In contrast, bacterial counts in samples of tap water ranged from 0.2 to 2.7 CFUs/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Five percent of the bottled water purchased in Cleveland fell within the required fluoride range recommended by the state, compared with 100% of the tap water samples, all of which were also within 0.04 mg/L of the optimal fluoride level of 1.00 mg/L. Use of bottled water based on the assumption of purity can be misguided. Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, published a final ruling that requires community water systems to regularly report to the public on the quality of local tap water; there are no similar proposals to determine the quality of bottled water through labeling.     

定陶县桶装饮用水检测结果分析

目的：了解定陶县桶装饮用水指标合格率,分析其饮用水安全性,针对原因,采取改进措施,提高桶装水的卫生质量。方法按国家标准方法对桶装饮用水进行微生物指标和理化指标测定;并将非正规厂家和正规厂家的桶装水质量相比较。结果96份桶装饮用水合格率为70%,29份不合格水样中,28份菌落总数超标,11份电导率超标,5份氯化物不合格,4份锌不合格,其他指标全部合格;非正规厂家的不合格率（65%）明显高于正规厂家（21%）,二者有非常显著差异性（P〈0.01）,正规厂家饮用水质量明显优于前者。结论桶装饮用水菌落总数合格率较低,非正规厂家生产的合格率更低.本县桶装饮用水在生产等环节上存在处理不当或再污染问题,卫生质量不乐观,应引起有关部门和厂家的高度重视,加强监督与管理,同时提醒老百姓对桶装饮用水的重视。     

桶装饮用水卫生质量状况

桶装饮用水的卫生质量直接关系到广大消费者的健康安全。近年来,桶装饮用水的卫生质量迅速成为研究者关注的热点。本文就桶装饮用水的卫生质量现状进行探讨,并在此基础上提出对策和建议,以期为其卫生质量的提高提供参考。