A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Microbiological Quality of Fruit Juices across Africa

Background: Across Africa, where diverse fruits thrive in abundance, fruit juices constitute a part of daily life, offering refreshment and nourishment. However, the microbiological quality of fruit juices stands as a pivotal issue affecting public health. Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the microbiological quality of fruit juices across Africa. Methods: Three databases; Scopus, PubMed, and Embase were systematically searched from inception to November 4th, 2023 for African studies which have reported assessing the microbiological quality of fruit juices. Twenty studies were included in this review having met the eligibility criteria. The selection and inclusion process followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: A total of 1531 fruits juices were sampled and assessed for microbial contamination in 20 studies across eight countries and we observed a pooled prevalence of bacterial contamination of 86.96%,(95% CI [81.25 - 90.93], I2= 86.96% (95%CI [81.25 - 90.93]) across the studies. We observed that Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus, and Salmonella are common isolates across studies. Other bacteria are Micrococcus, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Acetobacter, Corynebacteria, Enterobacter, Serratia, Aeromonas, Shigella, Listeria, Yersinia, Proteus, Klebsiella, and Enterococcus. Conclusion: Our study indicated a higher prevalence of bacterial contamination with both commensals and pathogenic bacteria indicating juices and potential sources of foodborne illness. We observed that the majority of African countries had no published research on fruit juices. The potential pathogens observed in our study are Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus, and Bacillus. Proper personal hygiene, washing of fresh fruits, and good handling during the preparation of juices are mandatory for the prevention of bacterial contamination.