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Original Research Open Access
Volume 3 | Issue 1 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.46439/nutrition.3.009

Bacteriological assessment of fresh Grewia asiatica juice from street vendors in urban Pakistan

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
+ Affiliations - Affiliations

Corresponding Author

Syeda Noor Fatima; noorigoharsnf@gmail.com

Received Date: October 10, 2025

Accepted Date: December 11, 2025

Abstract

Street vended fruit juices are widely consumed in Pakistan, particularly during extreme summer heat, providing essential nutrition values mostly fulfilled by fruits and their juices. Generally, microbial growth in juice is restricted by using preservatives and storage temperatures. From public health point of view, presence of microbes can cause foodborne diseases and outbreaks. This study assess microbial quality of fresh Grewia asiatica (falsa) juice samples collected from street vendors near UCP, Lahore. Analysis of 25 samples revealed that 75% exceeded permissible microbial limits for unpasteurized beverages, with TVC ranging from 1.2×102 to 3.2×104 CFU/mL. Majority of isolates were identified as E. coli indicating fecal contamination likely due to unsafe water, poor hygiene, and contaminated ice used in juice preparation. This contamination poses risks for possible enteric infections and food born outbreaks particularly in peak of summer heat where demand is extremely high.

Keywords

Bacterial identifications, Biochemical test, E. coli, Food quality, Fruit juices, Falsa, Grewia asiatica

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