The condition of local vended sugar cane juice sold in various areas of Lahore is not safe for consumption which causes serious food safety issues. This study has therefore been planned to evaluate food safety status oflocally vended cane juice in Lahore
Total 108 samples were collected from all nine TMAs (four samples from each TMA) of Lahore city. The samples will be collected in aseptic conditions. These samples were analyzed for TPC, Yeast & Mould, Total Coliform, E.coli and fecal streptococcus microbiological testing. The data obtained was analyzed by SPSS (version 21). Statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan’s multiple range test. (DMRT) was applied to get the trend of microbial load (bio burden) from sugar cane juice.
In all the TMAs of Lahore, the log values of TPC ranged from 3.91.±0.09 to 8.27±0.019. The maximum microbial load is observed in Wagha TMA while the minimum microbial load is observed in TMA Data Gunj Bakhsh. The overall mean value of total coliform count for all the TMAs is 5.4038 and CV is 6.81 and the result is highly significant. Comparing with the gulf and Codex standards, the results of all the samples of every TMA are unsatisfactory. The reasons behind such results can be poor personal hygiene, poor sanitation of machine as well as poor handling of material.
The log values of total coliform count in all TMAs ranged from 1.86±0.027to 3.30±0.09. The maximum total coliform count is observed in Ravi TMA. The overall mean value of total coliform count for all the TMAs is 2.6780 and CV is 12.86 and the result is highly significant. Comparing with the gulf and Codex standards, 89% of the results are unsatisfactory.
The reasons behind such results can be poor personal hygiene, poor sanitation of machine as well as poor handling of material.
The log values of E.coli count in all TMAs ranged from 1.66±0.047 to 2.69±0.08. The maximum E.coli count is observed at Ravi TMA ant the minimum E.coli count is observed at Nishtar TMA. The overall mean value of total coliform count for all the TMAs is 2.0980 and CV is 6.69 and the result is highly significant.Comparing with the gulf and Codex standards, 67% of the results are unsatisfactory. The reasons behind such results can be poor personal hygiene, poor sanitation of machine as well as poor handling of material.
The log values of fecal streptococcus ranged from 1.79±0.10 to 2.68±0.10. The maximum fecal streptococcus is observed in Wahga TMA while the minimum microbial load is observed in TMA Data Gunj Bakhsh. The overall mean value of fecal streptococcus for all the TMAs is 2.0935 and CV is 8.90 and the results are highly significant. Comparing with the gulf and Codex standards, 44% of the results are unsatisfactory. The reasons behind such results can be poor personal hygiene, poor sanitation of machine as well as poor handling of material.
The log values of yeast and mould count in all TMAs ranged from 3.39±0.21 to 7.05±0.16. The maximum yeast and mould count is observed in Shalimar TMA and minimum yeast and mould is observed in Gulberg TMA. The overall mean value of total coliform count for all the TMAs is 4.9455 and CV is 11.65 and the result is highly significant. Comparing with the gulf and Codex standards, the results of all the samples of every TMA are unsatisfactory. The reasons behind such results can be poor personal hygiene, poor sanitation of machine as well as poor handling of material.
In a nutshell, the level of microbiological contamination detected during the research in fresh sugar cane juice advances a grave concern related to health and economic welfare of the people. Microbial resistance against antibiotics is additional evolving food safety problem and may aggravate the health related concerns in all TMAs of Lahore. A detailed and well defined monitoring and investigation system needs to be in place and executed on crucial grounds to discuss the food safety of fresh sugar cane juice in Lahore. Application of awareness programs on different health related issues among the vendors, consumers and stakeholder may be another scheme to inhibit the horror of food safety issues.This study has presented the general analysis of microbiological trend and can be used as the base for further researches on related issues in different area of Lahore city.