Abstract:
The objective of this research was to study the type and the amount of microorganisms and food additives in main dishes and desserts. One hundred and five samples were collected for 5 times from shops near the building of Chemical Research institute and shops from the canteen in the Rajamangala institute of Technology, main campus during June 2001 to February 2002.Chemical qualities such as: total sulfur dioxide and benzoic acid were also analyzed 11 of fruit juices. The result showed that total sulfur dioxide gave lower values than standard limits but benzoic acid values revealed within the acceptable limits. Fifty eight of borax contained in fishballs and Products found that the first shop gave highly standard limits up to 8.62%.Thirty six of vinegars such as: free mineral acid and acetic indicated that free mineral acids gave within the acceptable limits but acetic acid found 2 shops to exceed limits. Eleven of fruit juices were examined microbiological including pathogenic bacteria and the risk of indicator microorganisms: total plate count, yeast and fungi, E. coli, salmonella sp., Staphylococcus aureus and coliform bacteria. The results showed that orange juice and longan juice were highly contaminated with total plate count, yeast and fungi, and E. coli higher than lemon juice but all of samples was found to few S. aureus Salmonella sp. contained in longan juice higher than lemon juice. The coliform bacteria assessed in lemon juice under the standard regulation. Therefore, high microbiological levels in these products indicated improper process. Education on hygienic handling of raw materials and proper process control was recommended to local health authority and producers.