Microbial analysis of food and beverages served in food establishments around De La Salle University, Manila

• Main Authors: Abejuela, Marie Rose S., Reyes, Aurora Aurea M.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2008
• Subjects: Food—Microbiology > Philippines > Manila; Beverages—Microbiology > Philippines > Manila; Sanitary microbiology > Philippines > Manila; Biology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/5025
• Institution: De La Salle University

Three food and beverage samples were purchased in three collection periods from each of five different restaurants around De La Salle University-Manila. All 45 samples were subjected to microbial analyses which include total plate count, MPN count of coliforms, presence of Escherichia coli, coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, Salmonella and Shigella, and fungi. The results of the study revealed microbial loads ranging from 102 to 106 CFUs per gm or volume of sample. Furthermore, at least 2 samples of each restaurant were found positive for the presence of coliforms with MPN count ranging from 4 to > 1100. Majority of these tested positive for the presence of E. coli, a fecal coliform. Two restaurants were found negative for coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, and Salmonella while the rest, only two samples at most, where positive for either organism. Finally, while all food and beverage samples were negative for Shigella, all were tested positive for fungi. All the samples did not pass the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), and Department of Health (DOH). The present study suggests that proper food safety measures were not met by the restaurants tested.