Comparative studies on the efficacy of commercial cleansing agents used in the maintenance of food hygiene and sanitation

Abstract

Four commercial cleaning agents (CA) viz. VIM, TRIX, FLEX and crude Ash for
cleaning crockeries were tested for their efficacy. Of the 4 CA, 2 were manufactured
by the multinational companies, one was locally manufactured and the crude Ash
{burnt plant material) was prepared locally and collected from hawker. Full rice plate,
small curry bowl and tea-cup of ceramic, spoon of stainless steel and drinking water
glass o f glass material were used as test crockeries. The inner surfaces o f the test
crockeries were rinsed with sterile water. The rinsed water of before-wash and afterwash
with test CA were cultured on PCA and MacConkey media. Standard plate
count and collform count was made. The total counts o f bacteria showed that VIM
did not work at all. Remarkable reduction of bacterial load was observed in case of
TRIX. Almost similar results were recorded in case o f FLEX. Ash reduced the load
moderately. In before wash collforms were lesser in number in all the crockeries.
However, the after wash counts were further reduced by all the CA but mostly by
crude Ash.