BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF SACHET WATER SOLD IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

This study evaluated the bacteriological quality of sachet water sold on the University of Benin, Ugbowo campus. Five brands: Uniben Table Water, Faith Mark, Olivia, Uzama, and Notre Dame were sampled in the afternoon (2:00 pm) on campus. The samples were transported to the laboratory for bacterial isolation and identification using standard bacteriological techniques. Phenotypic virulence properties of the isolates were assessed, and antimicrobial sensitivity was determined using the biodisc diffusion method. Uniben Table Water had a bacterial count of 3.2±0.72 x10 4 cfu/mL, Faith Mark 2.0±0.91 x10 4 cfu/mL, Olivia 1.9±0.67 x10 4 cfu/mL, Uzama 3.3±1.51 x10^4 cfu/mL, and Notre Dame 1.1±0.96 x10 4 cfu/mL. The identified bacterial isolates
included Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus letus, and Escherichia coli. Pathogenicity tests indicated that all isolates were pathogenic, testing positive for gelatin liquefaction, DNase, spirit blue, and haemolysin assays. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed that Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus letus, and Escherichia coli were sensitive to gentamycin and ciprofloxacin but resistant to pefloxacin, ampiciox, zinnacef, amoxicillin, rocephin, and septrin. The bacterial counts exceeded the limits recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and World Health Organization (WHO) (1.0 × 10 2 cfu/mL). These findings indicate that periodic bacteriological assessment of sachet water quality is necessary, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) should ensure quality assurance and adherence to internationally defined drinking water standards.