The Microbiological Examination of Enteral Nutrition Products That Are Currently Used in Turkey

Abstract

In this study, 31 enteral nutrition products (27 were liquid and 4 were powder) imported by different companies fo r Turkish market were evaluated in terms o f microbiological quality. For this purpose, in addition to the checks ö f sterility o f the liquid samples, total aerop bacteria, yeastmould, number o f coliform group bacteria, B. cereus and other bacteria were analysed in both powder and liquid products. According to the sterility tests, multiplication o f total aerop bacteria, yeast-mould, coliform group bacteria, B. cereus and other bacteria have not been observed in any o f the liquid products analysed. However, in only one out o f 31 products (% 3.2), which was appropriate for oral use as a powder, total o f 5x103 CFU/g aerop bacteria and 2x10 CFU/g B. cereus were found. In various colonies from this particular sample, Gram positive coccus were identified by microscopic analysis and by identification tests and fa st test kit, this microorganism has been defined as Enterococcus casseliflavus. S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, coliform bacteria and E. coli and C. perfringens were not observed in any o f the analyzed samples. It is essential to indicate that the presence ö f B. cereus and E. casseliflavous which have been observed in one out o f four powder samples in this study, was important fo r the purpose o f microbiological quality o f powder enteral nutritional products. In conclusion, there is a need for further studies in this area. It would be useful to give additional attention to the preparation o f powder products according to the hygiene principles and also to the storage qualifications o f theese products in terms o f duration and place, which would prevent further complications in health care settings.