QUALITY EXAMINATION OF MINERAL WATERS SOLD IN THE LVIV REGION

Marianna Pavlyshyn,
PhD in Technical Sciences, Associate Professor,
Head of Department of Commodity Research and Commodity Expertise,
Svitlana Kuzma,
Master of Business, Economy, Trade and Exchange Activity,
Halyna Ozymok,
PhD in Technical Sciences, Associate Professor,
Dean of The Faculty of management, commodity and commercial activities,
Lviv Institute of Economics and Tourism, Lviv

Daily consumption of high quality drinking water is a pressing issue for Ukrainians, since a sufficient level of hydration of the body is a necessity for a healthy and productive life. According to research by scientists at the UK National Health Service, an adult living in a temperate climate zone should drink 6-8 glasses of water, up to 2 liters daily [1]. This standard is also valid for residents of Lviv region.
In 2019, the United Nations declared: "Emergency climate situation". This situation is caused by an extreme level of environmental pollution and an annual decrease of drinking water reserves. Every year more and more people choose bottled natural mineral water instead of sugary sodas. Increasing demand for mineral water leads to an increase in supply and, consequently, to an increase in the number of falsified water sales. Therefore, the issue of mineral water safety and quality research is very topical. This article is dedicated to that water problem.
Requirements for the quality and safety of water that is extracted and packed in the territory of Ukraine are defined in DSTU 4069: 2016 and DSTU 878-94: 19, which are harmonized with EU requirements [2, 3]. In Ukraine, we have standardized rules for acceptance, transportation, storage, packaging, control methods, environmental protection, safety and manufacturer's guarantees.
We investigated the organoleptic and physicochemical indicators of the quality of bottled mineral waters in the laboratory of commodity examination and customs of the Lviv Institute of Economics and Tourism (LIET). For the study according to the requirements of the standard were selected three samples of mineral bottled water, which are in demand in Lviv region. All samples were bought in one of the most popular supermarket chain in Lviv “Aushan”.
1. Mineral water of “Soluki” trademark, sulphate-chloride, chloride-sulphate, calcium-sodium, medical-canteen, low-carbonated (LLC "Valetudo" Lviv region, Yavoriv district, Soluki village, I. Franko street).
2. Mineral water of “Morshynskaya” trademark, natural canteen of different anionic and different cationic composition, highly carbonated (JSC "Morshynsk Mineral Water Plant "OSKAR" Lviv region, Morshin city, 12a Geologiv street).
3. Mineral water of “Mirgorodskaya“ trademark, chloride-sodium, medical-canteen, highly carbonated (JSC "Mirgovodsk Mineral Water Plant" Poltava region, Myrhorod city, Minzavodska street).
The characteristics of the mineral water samples selected for examination are presented in Table 1.

The results of the mineral waters analysis from table 1 shows:
1) The samples did not contain all the required labeling information on the label. In particular, the water of “Morshynskaya” trademark label has no recommendations for consumption rates.
2) All bottles samples contained a short black strip at the junction of the label. This strip indicates the automatic bonding of the label. It serves, as the first indicator of counterfeit detection, since on counterfeit waters labels are forged manually there will be no such stripes on them.
3) On the surface of all bottles, there are special embossing marks, which are also indicators of the originality of the samples.
The results of sensory analysis of mineral waters in terms of transparency, color, smell and taste are indicated in Table 2.

So, examined bottled mineral water, which was sold in the supermarkets of Lviv, we established:
1. Mineral medical-table water of “Soluki” trademark by sensory analysis with 20 possible points received - 19. This is the best result among the tested samples. Therefore, the water quality of "Soluki" trademark water is high, it was standard in terms of organoleptic characteristics.
2. Mineral natural table water of “Morshynskaya” trademark received 18 points, which is also a good result. In terms of organoleptic characteristics, it met the requirements of the standard.
3. Mineral medical-table water of TM "Mirgorodskaya" also got 18 points, but its characteristic taste lowered its rating to "satisfactory".
To examine the quality of water by physical and chemical characteristics we choose four main indexes: Ph level, dry residue, density and mineralization. The results of experimental studies of the quality of mineral waters by physical and chemical parameters are presented in table 3.

Ph level, dry residue and density levels in all tested water samples are within normal limits. According to the level of water mineralization, "Soluki" trademark and "Mirgorodskaya" trademark corresponded to the declared classification: "Mineral medical table water". However, the level of water mineralization of “Morshynskaya” trademark calls into question its marking “Mineral water”. In our opinion, it was more appropriate to attribute this water to the Natural Drinking Room.
Therefore, according to the results of the trade examination of quality, it can be concluded that no falsification was detected among the examined samples. Water was in line with the standart. The water samples tested are of high quality and safe to use.
Mineral waters of "Soluki" and "Mirgodskaya" trademarks correspond to the information stated on the labels. The classification of “Morshynskaya” water as mineral is not contrary to the standard, but it is still conditional, since its level of mineralization is low. In our opinion, it would be more appropriate to classify it as a "natural drinking canteen".
1. Water: Do we really need 8 glasses a day? (2018). URL: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/306638  -  (accessed 29 February 2020).
2. Napoyi bezalkoholni. Zahalni tekhnichni umovy. [Soft drinks. General technical specifications.] (2016). DSTU HOST 4069:2016. Kyiv: Derzhspozhivstandart Ukraine [in Ukrainian].
3. Vody mineralʹni pryrodni fasovani. [Packed natural mineral waters. General technical specifications] (2019). DSTU HOST 878-94:19. Kyiv: Derzhspozhivstandart Ukraine [in Ukrainian].