Microbiological quality of fruit juices sold in Tripoli–Libya

Fruit juices are becoming an important part of the modern diet in many communities. Data regarding the microbiological quality of foods, particularly fruit juices, sold in Libya and the neighboring North African countries are few if not lacking. Using standard microbiological procedures, 146 fruit juice samples sold in Tripoli were examined. Total bacterial counts (TBC) of samples examined ranged between <1 and 3 × 10⁵ CFU/ml (mean = 5 × 10⁴). Almond juice showed the highest TBC ranging between 1.8 × 10³ and 3 × 10⁵ (mean = 1.7 × 10⁵). Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 8 (5.5%) samples, Streptococcus spp. in 4 (2.7%), coliforms in 33 (22.6%), Escherichia coli (none were of serogroup O157) in 3 (2.1%), Klebsiella pneumonia in 17 (11.6%), Aeromonas spp. in 3 (2.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 6 (4.1%), Candida albicans in 18 (12.3%), Candida spp. in 109 (74.7%) and other yeasts in 85 (58.2%). Many of these organisms can cause disease in humans, which indicates that a large number of juices tested did not fulfill the Libyan guidelines for the microbiological quality of juices. Application of the HACCP system should be introduced into the food industry sector to improve the quality of fruit juices and other foods manufactured in Libya.