Detection of Coli phages in Bottled Water as an Indicator of Enteroviruses and Faecal pollution

Abstract

Duo to the increased demand of bottled water in Iraq there has been a growing concern about the microbial quality of these products. Thirty five different bottled water products (20 L) collected randomly from Baghdad local markets were examined for the bacterial indicators (coliform group and streptococcus spp)using Most Probable Number Method. Products were also analyzed for coli phages as an indicator of enteroviruses and faecal pollution ,two procedures were applied , the first is Two-Step Enrichment Method and the second is Single Agar Layer Method . The result show nine products gave a positive for bacterial indicator and coli phages detected in three products among these two products show a negative result for bacterial indicator such products can have an impact on the health of consumers. The coli phages have been suggested as potential indicators of the presence of enteric viruses and faecal pollution in bottled water.