Study of microbiological quality of beverages sold at selected educational institutes in Jeli (Malaysia) and Pattani (Thailand)

The results reporting the hygiene and quality assessment, aerobic plate counts (APC), total coliform count (TCC), detection of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. of beverages and ice are reported. A total of 24 water and ice samples were collected from four educational institutes in Jeli, Kelantan. The analysis showed that the aerobic plate counts (CFU/100ml) were identified with viable contamination measuring between less than 1.6 CFU/100 ml to 17 CFU/100ml. The contamination by total conform count was detected with the highest value at >1100 CFU/ml and the lowest are <3.0 CFU/ml. Generally, most of the aerobic plate counts were counted as estimated aerobic plate counts (EAPC) as the count of viable detection is less than 25 colonies. Similar hygiene and quality assessment was done in Pattani area which is in Prince of Songkla University. The focus areas are Lan It and Lan Lay which are located in PSU area and covered 4 samples each. The methods used for detecting the potential microbes were aerobic plate count, total coliform count by most probable number, and detection of E.coli and Salmonella spp. count. However, all samples were tested negative for E.coli and Salmonella spp. detection. Coconut from Lan It and tamarind from Lan Lay showed numerous counts in APC whereby the highest count is 14 CFU/100ml. Out of eight samples there were five samples that showed positive results for total coliform count. In a nutshell, the value of contamination of microorganisms in PSU, Pattani was higher than in UMK, Jeli particularly in the coconut and syrup flavoured drinks.