Table 3 shows the microbial load during the storage study. The
microbial load of fresh tender coconut (not microfiltered and no
additives added) water was 140 cfu/mL. Microfiltered coconut
water stored in glass bottles showed no microbial growth during
the storage period that indicated its effectiveness in filtering out the
microbes completely. However, microfiltered coconut water
bottled in plastic bottles that was sterile for 7 days showed microbial
growth on 22nd and 46th day of study. The cause of microbial
growth in plastic bottles may be due to certain defects and
contamination in the plastic bottles. According to Anonymous
(2007) recommendation good quality tender coconut water
should have a microbial load of less than 5000 cfu/mL and less than
10 cfu/mL of coliforms. The microbial load was also calculated on
51st day of study. The microbial load of coconut water in plastic
bottles exceeded the recommended value while the glass bottled
coconut water showed no microbial growth even on 180 days of
storage. The other analyses were not carried out as the packaged
coconut water lost its flavor and characteristic taste.