title: Microbiological quality of carbonated drinking water produced with in-home carbonation systems.
abstract: The microbiological quality of carbonated water produced with tap water in commercial in-home carbonation systems was determined, the results being discussed in the context of the microbiological quality of the tap water used, the properties of the drink makers, and the procedures of preparation and washing of various parts of the appliance. The last-mentioned data were received from each participant of the study by questionnaire. Escherichia coli, coliforms, fecal streptococci and spore-forming sulphite-reducing anaerobes were used as indicators for the hygienic quality of the water. Tap-water samples were collected according to the usual procedure when filling the carbonating bottle, i.e., without previous flushing and disinfection of the faucet. In 12% of tap-water samples, coliforms could be detected. On the other hand, in 20 of 52 carbonated waters (39%), coliforms as indicators of water pollution were found. By means of fecal streptococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, it was possible to establish additional contamination not involving E. coli or coliforms alone. Analysis revealed that, in addition to contaminated tap water, a bacterial biofilm on the inner surface of the re-usable bottles had a predominant influence on the microbiological quality of the carbonated water.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany. kohnen@mail.uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kohnen
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Teske-Keiser
authors.forename: Heinz-Georg
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Anja H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Loos
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pietsch
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jansen
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000382:microbiology*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D006794:Household Articles; D008900:Mineral Waters / Q000382:microbiology*; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D008900:Mineral Waters