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Abstract

This study evaluated the microbial density and concentration of some physicochemical constituents of palm wine sold in Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Samples of palm wine were purchased from 6 locations. Sample from each location was sub-sampled in triplicate, and the density of microbial population was enumerated following standard microbiological procedure. The physicochemical parameters of constituents were determined using standard procedures. Results showed that total heterotrophic bacteria counts, total fungi counts, pH, conductivity, specific gravity, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium in palm wine ranged from 2.620 x 10⁴ – 1.713 x 10⁵ CFU/ml, 5.867 x 10⁴ - 2.163 x 10⁵ CFU/ml, 3.600 – 3.767, 5750.000 – 8816.667µS/cm, 0.998 – 1.010, 0.131 – 0.216%, 0.020 – 0.063 mg/L, 6.403 – 9.592 mg/L, 17.788 – 41.292 mg/L, 13.842 – 15.631 mg/L and 9.177 – 11.030 mg/L respectively. Apart from pH, all other test parameters showed significant discrepancies (p < 0.05) in the different samples. The observed variation suggests that different factors are influencing the microbial and physicochemical characteristics of palm wine in the study area. The microbial density was within tolerable limits (10⁴ to 10⁵) in food as specified by the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods. The high microbial population suggests the need to regularly evaluate microbial density in palm wine to forestall potential health risks associated with its consumption.

Keywords

Microbial contaminants, Microorganisms, Public health, Palm wine, Quality assessment

Introduction

Species of Raphia and Elaeis which are geographically diverse in Nigeria, especially in the southern parts, are mostly used for the production of palm wine in Nigeria. The genus Elaeis has oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) as a predominant species that is used for the production of palm oil and palm wine through destructive (uprooting or felling of the oil palm tree prior to production of palm wine) and non-destructive methods (collection of palm wine from the inflorescence which bears fruits without destroying the tree). Despite the abundance of several species of Raphia palm in the Niger Delta, its oil is often underutilized. The palm is predominantly used for production of palm wine, especially in the coastal regions of Bayelsa State. In addition, the other parts of Raphia palm are used for developmental or construction works which includes the building of fish and turtle traps, ropes, as well as floor brushes across coastal communities of Nigeria.

Palm wine is a socially significant drink across cultures of several ethnic groups in different parts of the World, particularly Nigeria. For instance, it is consumed during ceremonies such as funeral, marriage, child naming events, coronation, chieftaincy-title conferment, etc [1]. It is commonly consumed by the young and aged, most especially those living in rural areas. There have been instances of the infusion of palm wine into some herbal medicines used for treating specific ailments in traditional settings across Nigeria [2].

Yeasts are among the predominant microbes found in palm wine. The yeast found in palm wine converts sugar to alcohol through the process of fermentation. As such, the progression of fermentation decreases the sugar content as the alcohol content increases. This is an indication that organisms that are able to ferment palm wine sap are acid-tolerant (acidophilic). These, microbes, can potentially alter the physicochemical properties of palm wine which is essential in terms of quality assessment for human consumption.

Microbes are ubiquitous and have been reported in several food materials and environmental samples. The bacteria species commonly found in palm wine sold in different locations in Nigeria belong to the genera; Chromobacterium, Gluconobacter, Peptostreptococcus, Corynebacterium, Zymomonas, Pseudomonas, Paediococcus, Serratia, Shigella, Vibrio, Salmonella, Micrococcus, Serratia, Micrococcus, Leuconostoc, Listeria, Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Acetobacter, Streptococcus, Escherichia and Staphylococcus, while the yeasts species commonly isolated include Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces globosus, Saccharomyces carlsbengensis, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Zygo-Sacchraromyces fermentati, Hansenula anomala, Pichia ohmeri, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Kluveromyces marxianus, Candida tropiclis and Candida species [2, 3-7]. Some of the yeasts species such as Hanseniaspora uvarum, Saccharomyces globosus, and Saccharomyces carlsbengensis are ethanol-tolerant with adaptive features that enable them thrive in varying degrees of ethanol concentrations [5].

Some microbes, especially bacteria are pathogenic with well documented public health implications. Since different microbial isolates are found in palm wine, it is important to ascertain their density in order to determine its fitness for human consumption. Hence, this study aimed at assessing the microbial density and associated physicochemical properties of palm wine in Wilberforce Island, Nigeria

Materials and methods

Study area

The study was carried out in Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The Island is made up of few hamlets and about 10 communities with heterogeneous population [8]. The major communities include Oweikorogha, Ikibiri, Ikolo, Bumoudi, Agudama-Ekpetiama, Igbedi, Agorogbene, Ogobiri and Amassoma [8,9]. The major occupations of the indigenous people of the area include farming, fishing and lumbering. However, following the creation of Bayelsa state and establishment of the Niger Delta University; civil service and trading activities, which were generally rudimentary received a boost and have become supplementary sources of livelihood amongst local inhabitants of the area [8]. Two predominant seasons of the area are wet season (occurring between April and October), with a short break around early August, and the dry season which occurs between November and March of the succeeding year. The study area has a major road link with the state capital (Yenagoa). The area has been reported as the second most populated area in Bayelsa state [10].

Sample collections

Triplicate samples of Raphia palm wine were collected from six different palm wine vendors in Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa state, Nigeria. The samples were preserved in an ice pack and analyzed within 4 hours after collection

Macro nutrients (Ca, Mg, Na and K) analysis

About 25 mL of sample (palm wine) was pretreated with 5 mL of concentrated nitric acid. The samples were prepared following the method previously described by Aigberua and Izah [11]. The resultant diluents and a reagent blank were aspirated into the GBC Avanta PM A6600 flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer, and concentration of the macro nutrients were determined at varying wavelengths [11].

pH determination

The palm wine sample was stirred with a clean glass stirring rod. About 40 mL of sample was poured into a glass beaker. With occasional stirring, sample was left to stand for about 1 hour. The pH meter (HANNA HI 8314 model) was standardized using buffer solutions of 4.0, 7.0 and 10.0 pH units. The pH was determined following the method previously described by Aigberua and Izah [12].

Specific gravity determination

Following methods specified in APHA [13] for specific gravity of waste water, sample temperature (T) was recorded and the weights (W) of density bottles measured. The container was filled to mark with palm wine, weighed and recorded as S. Another density bottle was filled to mark with distilled water, weighed and denoted R.

Specific gravity was calculated as:

. Were F is the temperature correction factor (0.9975) at 25 ^oC.

Total Oxidized Nitrogen (NO₂^- + NO₃^-) (Cd reduction + spectrophotometric NO₂^-)

About 100 mL of test sample was filtered through 0.45 µm membrane filter and the sample pH was adjusted to 7 using sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Exactly 75 mL of ammonium chloride-EDTA solution (NH₄Cl-EDTA) was added to solution prior to mixing. The homogenized sample was poured into a reduction column and the filtrate collected at the rate of 8.7 mL/min. The first 10 mL portion of eluent was discarded. Thereafter, subsequent filtrate was collected in sample flask, and about 2 mL of color reagent was added to 50 mL portion of sample prior to mixing. Sample mixture was left to stand for 1 hour after which the concentration of nitrate (NO₃^-) was measured in mg/L units at 543 nm. A distilled water reagent blank (nitrate-free water) was also analyzed as quality check for any interference.

Another 50 mL portion of filtered sample was transferred into a 250 mL conical flask. The pH was adjusted to 7 using ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH), while 2 mL of color reagent (800 ml distilled water + 100 mL 85% phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) + 10g sulphanilamide (C₆H₈N₂O₂S)) was added and mixed. Sample was allowed to stand for 1 hour. Afterwards, nitrite (NO₂^-) concentration was determined in mg/L units at a wavelength of 543 nm [13].

Available phosphorus determination (Ascorbic Acid Method)

Based on slight modification of phosphorus determination by APHA [13], exactly 50 mL of sample solution was transferred into a 125 mL Erlenmeyer flask, and a drop of phenolphthalein indicator was added. About 5 mL of 5 N sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) solution was added in drops to discharge the red coloration that developed, after which another 8 mL of combined reagent (50 mL of 5N sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) + 5 mL potassium antimonyl tartrate (K(SbO)C₄H₄O₆.1/2H₂O) + 15 mL ammonium molybdate solution ((NH₄)₆ Mo₇O₂₄.4H₂O) + 30 mL ascorbic acid solution (C₆H₈O₆) was added at room temperature. The mixture was thoroughly homogenized, and the concentration of phosphorus (in mg/L) was measured after 10 minutes reaction time. Set wavelength for phosphorus was 880 nm. Meanwhile, reagent blank was prepared by treating distilled water in the same way as sample. This served as quality control procedure. The blank readings were then subtracted from sample readings in order to eliminate interferences.

Determination of bacterial and fungal counts

Salmonella-Shigella, Nutrient and Potato dextrose agar were used for the determination of Salmonella-Shigella, total heterotrophic bacteria and total fungi counts. Manufacturers’ instructions were considered while preparing the media. The Pour plate method [14] was adopted for determining microbial counts in palm wine. From the serially-diluted palm wine, 1 mL was plated in media. Thereafter, the agar plates were incubated with inversion at 37 °C for 24-48 hours for Salmonella-Shigella and total heterotrophic bacteria. Meanwhile, total fungi counts were incubated at 30 °C for 3-4 days. Colonies that grew in the media after incubation were enumerated and expressed as colony forming units (CFU) per mL of palm wine.

Statistical analysis

The statistical analysis was carried out using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software. Data was expressed as mean ± standard deviation, and significant variations across the various locations were established using one way analysis of variance at p < 0.05. Where significant difference occurred, Tukey HSD pair-wise test was used to discern the source of the observed variation.

Results

Table 1 shows some of the physical and chemical characteristics of palm wine in Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa state, Nigeria. Macro nutrients found in the palm wine ranged from 6.403-9.592 mg/L, 17.788-41.292 mg/L, 13.842-15.631 mg/L and 9.177-11.030 mg/L for magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium respectively. There were significant variations at p < 0.05 across the various locations for each macro nutrient. However, sodium showed no significant variation across locations except for samples purchased from location A.

Table 1. Level of some physical and chemical constituents of palm wine in Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa state, Nigeria

Data is expressed as mean± standard deviation; Different letters along the column indicate significant variations according to Tukey HSD statistics.

The pH, conductivity, specific gravity, total nitrogen and available phosphorus of palm wine ranged from 3.600-3.767, 5750.000-8816.667 µS/cm, 0.998-1.010, 0.131-0.216 % and 0.020-0.063 mg/L respectively. Statistically, there were significant discrepancies at p < 0.05 for each parameter across different locations. However, this is with the exception of pH which showed no statistical deviation.

Table 2 presents the microbial density of palm wine sold in Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa state, Nigeria. The total heterotrophic bacteria and total fungi counts ranged from 2.620 x 103-1.713 x 104 CFU/mL and 5.867-2.163 x 104 CFU/mL respectively. Statistically, there was significant deviation (p < 0.05) in the various locations for both parameters under consideration. Salmonella and Shigella counts were not detected in the palm wine.

Table 2. Microbial counts of palm wine sold in Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa state, Nigeria

Data is expressed as mean± standard deviation; different letters along the column indicate significant variations according to Duncan statistics

Table 3 shows the Pearson correlation of the physicochemical characteristics of palm wine in Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa state, Nigeria. Potassium weakly correlates with conductivity (r=-0.554) at p < 0.05. Calcium weakly correlates with potassium (r=0.515) at p < 0.05. Magnesium strongly correlates with conductivity (r=0.720), total nitrogen (r=0.753), phosphorus (r=0.735). Conductivity strongly correlates with total nitrogen (r=0.837), phosphorus (r=0.763) at p < 0.01. Total nitrogen strongly correlates with phosphorus (r =0.966) at p < 0.01.

Table 3. Pearson Correlation of the physicochemical characteristics of palm wine sold in Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa state, Nigeria

**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).

*. Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed).

Discussion

For magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium, the observed significant variation may be attributed to the condition of palm wine prior to sampling and analysis. This may have resulted from its spontaneous fermentation which tends to alter several biochemical parameters of palm wine. The values obtained in this study differ from concentrations previously reported in palm wine from different states of Nigeria including Enugu [15], Abia [4], Bayelsa and Delta States [16]. The observed deviation of current results may be due to difference in palm species been tapped for wine. It could also be due to the characteristics of soil in which palm is cultivated. Basically, these macronutrients play an essential role in the overall well-being of living organisms [11,17,18]. Deficiency of these nutrients could also be detrimental to the overall functioning of the human body. For instance, the deficiency of calcium may lead to poor bone formation and growth, as well as milk fever, thereby causing adverse health effects. As recommended by Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), the approved concentration of magnesium and sodium in potable water is 20 mg/L and 200 mg/L respectively.

For conductivity, specific gravity, total nitrogen and available phosphorus, there were significant variations at p < 0.05 across the different locations. According to Aigberua and Izah [12], phosphorus is crucial for proper functioning of the kidney, muscle contractions, normal heartbeat and nerve signalling. Based on the result of this study, there is no obvious health risk associated with available phosphorus in palm wine.

The trend of pH and specific gravity recorded in this study has some similarity with the work of other authors. Falegan and Akoja [3] reported pH range of 4.490–5.230 in palm wine sold in Ekiti state. Afolabi and Owoola [19] reported pH level of 3.700 within 24 hours of purchase, and increasing acidity with pH of 3.370 after 360 hours of spontaneous fermentation. Dibofori-Orji and Ali [1] reported the decrement of pH from (6.200–6.400) to (3.100-3.330), as well as increasing conductivity trend, rising from (800.000-1200.000 μScm^-1) to (2520.000-2812.000 μScm^-1). Adeleke and Abiodun [20] reported pH and specific gravity of 4.300 and 1.039 respectively for palm wine sold in some locations of Osun state, Nigeria. Basically, as palm wine fermentation progresses, most of the physicochemical characteristics including pH and conductivity become altered [21]. However, this study reflected fairly stable pH and specific gravity. This is indication that the microbes responsible for spontaneous fermentation have converted a significant amount of sugar in palm wine to alcohol. Therefore, specific gravity provides preliminary information about the sugar and ethanol content of palm wine. Conductivity level also gives information about the composition of minerals such as macro nutrients (calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium) in palm wine. Generally, the recorded conductivity exceeds limits permitted for potable drinking water. Nevertheless, it may not pose any considerable health risk. In addition, the acidic pH of palm juice may cause stomach ache since extreme acidic pH often results in stomach pain.

Nitrogen is an essential element that is required for the utmost functioning of all forms of life. The unavailability or deficiency of nitrogen has been known to cause discoloration and stunted growth in plants [22]. As such, it is necessary to maintain balance in the way nitrogen is applied for increased crop yield in order to reduce the possibility of food toxicity and forestall the incidence of food chain biomagnifications to toxic levels.

The microbial density exceeds WHO/SON level of 10² for drinking water. However, it is within the tolerable limits (10⁴ to 10⁵) for microbial counts (total heterotrophic bacteria and total fungi) in foods as specified by the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods [23]. The observed significant variation in microbial density of palm wine could be due to differences in the level of hygiene practiced by divergent vendors. Again, the methods of packaging may have contributed to the microbial quality of palm wine. Typically, most vendors in the study area use discarded empty plastic bottles of water for storing and selling the drink to retail consumers who purchase in smaller quantities. The cans are picked from several places including ceremonial grounds, schools, hospital, amongst others.

The microbial density obtained from the study has some relationship with previous studies on microbial population in palm wine sold in some Nigerian states of Abia [2,6] and Ekiti [3]. Afolabi and Owoola [19] reported yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) count in the range of 5.460 x 10⁴ CFU/mL at day one to 3.000 x 10² CFU/mL at day twenty-two. This implies that continuous fermentation decreases the population of yeasts in palm wine. Among the groups of microbes found in palm wine, fungi (especially yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is the major microbial species which aids the spontaneous fermentation of sugar to ethanol.

The correlation trends observed in this study indicates a diverse source of contaminants. The macro nutrients may have been assimilated from the soil. On the other hand, the observed positive significant relationships suggest similar emissions or source contaminants [24].

Conclusion

The study evaluated the microbial density and associated physicochemical properties of palm wine in Wilberforce Island, Nigeria and indicated that microbial counts (total heterotrophic bacteria and total fungi) are within tolerable limits for food. However, values exceeded the drinking water standard of 1.000 x 102 CFU/ml. Correlations of physicochemical parameters revealed a divergent source of contaminants. Notwithstanding, it is crucial to sensitize local vendors and the public on good hygiene practices, particularly during food handling and storage, as this will likely forestall potential public health implications associated with the consumption of palm wine.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Analytical Concept Limited Port Harcourt, Nigeria, for providing the laboratory facilities to carry out this research.

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