Assessment of Hygienic Quality of Beverage Cans Surfaces with and without Protective Cover

Abstract

In this study, the microbial profiles of external top surfaces of beverage cans sold in Izmir markets, and the survival of E. coli on the top surfaces of cans were investigated through the storage period of 0, 10, 20 and 30 days at 4 and 25°C. Total aerobic mesophilic bacteria (TAMB), coliforms and E.coli counts of 100 cans without protective cover and 20 cans with protective cover were examined. The numbers of TAMB on the cans without protective cover were in the range of 0.43-2.20×103 cfu/cm2. Lower bacteria counts in the range of <0.43-1.12×101 cfu/cm2 were observed on the cans with protective cover. E. coli was not detectable on the storage time of 20 days, whereas E. coli counts of higher than 2 log units were observed at the 10 days of storage. According to the results obtained from this study, the microbiological statuses of beverage cans are not the same quality, external top surfaces of beverage cans might be a potential risk for public health.