Bacteriological quality of street-vended beverages sold in two popular markets in Georgetown, Guyana

In Guyana, street-vended beverages can often be bought in the local markets and some eating establishments; and are popular, sought-after beverages. The demand and consumption of local beverages are likely to increase for both locals and foreigners. The safe production of fruit beverages by the fruit juice vendor will become crucial to prevent spoilage and microbial contamination. This study analyses the bacteriological quality of street-vended juices from two of the main markets in Georgetown, by enumerating the total viable count and identifying coliforms, Staphylococcus sp., Salmonella sp. and Shigella sp. This experimental study investigated street-vended juices. The standard plate count method was used to determine the total viable count on nutrient agar using serial dilutions. Selective media including MSA agar, EMB agar, and XLD agar; and other identification tests were used to select for and identify specific bacteria. The data were presented as mean±SD and numbers of positive samples. About 90% of samples were contaminated with bacteria with an average of 5.8±1.9 log cfu/mL or 2.1x107 cfu/mL. Of the 20 juices, 65% contained coliforms, 25% yielded E. coli, and 60% yielded Klebsiella sp. /Enterobacter sp., 65%yielded Staphylococcus sp., 25% were suspected to be Shigella sp. and 5% were suspected to be Salmonella sp. Standards for ready-to-drink, non-carbonated beverages state that coliforms and other pathogens must be absent; therefore our findings are very worrying. We recommend that governmental and non-governmental agencies collaborate to bring more awareness about hygiene and storage techniques for street vendors.