Comparative studies on qualities of solar heated water and boiled water for food processing

J.I. Eze, Blessing N. Ekpemandu

National Centre For Energy Research and Developmrnt, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

Department of food science and technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

Key words: Water, solar water heater, kerosene cooking stove, world health organization, Nigerian Industrial Standard.

Abstract

Untreated water (well water) contains microorganism and the need to obtain quality water for food processing is an important consideration. Solar water heater and kerosene cooking stove were used to obtain quality water. The peak period with which the water was collected for analysis was 70oC, 77oC, and 100oC. The parameters which were analyzed include total viable count, total coli form count, pH, conductivity, alkalinity and total dissolved solids. These parameters were analyzed before and after heating. The result obtained shows that the pH, conductivity, alkalinity and total dissolved solids conformed with the standard of United State Environmental Protection Agency while the total viable count and total coli form count was not acceptable to Nigerian Industrial Standard for microbial requirement at 70oC and 77oC. However, when solar water heater heat water at 70oC and 77oC and the water analyzed based on total viable count and total coliform count the result obtained shows that it contains lesser number of microorganism compared to using kerosene cooking stove. When water is boiled (100oC) it contains no microorganism and is acceptable to Nigerian Industrial standard.