GULZAR AHMAD NAYIK, TAWHEED AMIN AND SUMANVIKAS BHAT
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to assess the microbial quality of fruit juices sold for immediate consumption in the markets of Kashmir valley.Twelve fruit juice samples (3 from each apple, orange, pineapple and mango juices) were procured from different markets and tested for their microbiological quality. Microbial quality was determined by enumerating the total viable count. About 25% of the samples (orange juice) did not comply with the standards of microbial quality as per the guidelines for microbiological quality of ready to eat foods while as apple, orange and pineapple juices complied with the standards.The microbial load in orange juice was comparatively higher than that in the apple, pineapple and mango juice which had the microbial load within acceptable limits.