Microbial Quality of Sweet Lime Juice Vended in Anand City, Gujarat using the Conventional Culture Technique and Molecular Characterization

By : Disha P. Mall, V.H. Patel, Rema S.

Page No: 216-226

Abstract
Sweet lime (Citrus limetta Risso), a citrus fruit from the Rutaceae family, is predominantly produced in Southeast Asia and contains high levels of water-soluble vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Street vended sweet lime juice provides convenience for the consumer. However, quality and safety are major concerns. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to assess the microbial quality of sweet lime juice samples sold in Anand city, Gujarat, using the conventional culture technique as well as molecular characterization method focussing on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. Sweet lime juice samples were collected from seven popular locations of the city in duplicate (n = 14). For microbial screening, bacteria were isolated, biochemically characterized and their genomic DNA was amplified. Results suggested that majority of the samples were contaminated with microbes. Total viable count ranged from 6.39 to 7.52 log CFU/mL while yeast and mold count varied from 5.99 to 6.64 log CFU/mL. Out of the 14 samples tested, 02 (28.57%) isolates of B. cereus, 6 (85.71%) isolates of E. coli, and 3 (42.85%) isolates of Salmonella spp. tested positive using both the methods. For S. aureus, from the 07 isolates obtained by conventional culture technique, 05 were positive by the molecular method. The investigation reveals a significant health concern for consumers of street vended sweet lime juice samples. Consequently, there is a need to implement and enhance hygienic practices within the street food vending sector.

Authors:
Disha P. Mall, V. H. Patel and Rema S.
Post Graduate, Department of Home Science, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar (Anand), Gujarat, India.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/JPSR.2024.40.02.2