Abstract

AREVALO-PEREZ, Elisa C.; MARTINEZ-LEON, Aida J.; LEMUS-PEREZ, Mildred F.  and  RODRIGUEZ-SUSA, Manuel S.. Study of the Presence of DBP and Microorganisms in Bottled Water. Tecnol. cienc. agua [online]. 2014, vol.5, n.2, pp.05-18. ISSN 2007-2422.

Little information exists in the literature about the chemical quality of disinfection by-products (DBP) and their relationship with the microbiological quality of bottled water. Therefore, trihalomethanes (THM) and haloacetic acids (HAA) -the main DBP- were assessed in seven brands of bottled water available on the Colombian market. The presence of microbiological indicators, enterobacteria, mesophilic aerobes, fungi and yeast were also measured as microbiological indicators. Results showed maximum values of 135 for total THM and 140 µg/L for total HAA, and 28% of samples did not comply with FDA regulations. At least one microbiological indicator was found in 69% of samples and 30% did not comply with Colombian norms for drinking water. The association between DBP and microbiological quality varied. A recommended scenario of low DBP concentration and microorganisms was observed in two of the brands evaluated. Finally, more information is needed to analyze yeast as an indicator of organoleptic changes in water and its possible relationship with the proliferation of other types of microorganisms.

Keywords : bottled water; disinfection byproducts; enterobacteria; fungi; mesophiles; yeast.