Microbial Contaminants in Commercial Beverages: Health Concerns and Suggestive Preservative Methods

Abstract

Abstract

Fruit juices are the important source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, essential for the growth and development of every human. However, due to the presence of various nutritive components, it provides optimal conditions for the growth of food microorganisms. Various pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria, fungus, yeasts and parasites are found to be associated with fruit juices. Many of these microbes generally enters at the time of packaging and cause various health hazards, i.e., dysentery, typhoid, cholera and other intestinal infections. The current approach for the prevention of fruit juice deterioration utilizes the use of various synthetic preservatives. Although low doses are generally used in the juices in order to enhance its shelf life, but reports also highlighted the negative effects of these chemicals. It was reported that the repeated exposures of these chemicals can be associated with health hazards. Therefore, for an alternative approach, researchers showed the potential of various plant extracts and essential oils for controlling the growth of food microbes. Essential oils (generally recognised as safe) obtained from various plant components have been reported for excellent activity against wide variety of food pathogens under lab studies. Some recent studies have also highlighted the increase in the potency of essential oils if used in vapour phase with no organoleptic effects. Therefore, the demand of safe and effective natural antimicrobials is clearly fulfilled by using essential oils. Hence, food industries should utilize the potential of natural antimicrobials (essential oils) as preservatives in commercial fruit juices for the safety of consumers.

Keywords: Fruit juices, food microorganisms, synthetic preservatives, health hazards, essential oils

Cite this Article

Vijaya Kumar Nalla, Nitin Chauhan, Bhawna Sharma et al. Microbial Contaminants in Commercial Beverages: Health Concerns and Suggestive Preservative Methods. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Microbiology and Virology. 2019; 9(1): 1–9p.