Abstract
Following are results of measuring inorganic anions, volatile halogenated hydrocarbons, potassium permanganate consumped and the number of viable aerobes in Korean natural mineral water which are regarded as indicators of contamination.
1. When the natural mineral water was kept at 5°C, there was no change in the content of inorganic anions until 29 days passed since the opening of the bottle.
2. The result of measuring inorganic anions and volatile halogenated hydrocarbons which are regarded as having connection with the safety of natural mineral water showed that only fluorine ion 6 cases exceeded the limit of Korean regulation. While the trihalometane and total volatile halogenated hydrocarbons were in the range of below detectable level and 25.7ng/ml, it was mainly due to chloroform.
3. The average consumption of potassium permanganate was 2.63mg/l.
4. The result of measuring the number of viable aerobes showed that many brands exceeded the limit of Korean regulation. And, through the identification process at the genus level, the genus Bacillus, Kurthia, and Micrococcus were identified. The fungus detected from one brand was identified as Penicillium oxalicum.
