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Comparing the Contamination Levels of the Tops of Soda Cans from Different Brands and Stores

CSEF · 2012 Microbiology (General)

Danika R. Flemming · Fairmont Elementary School, Sanger, Fresno County

Overview

Objectives/Goals The objective of my project was to discover which brands and stores contained the highest level of contamination on the tops of their soda cans. The reason I am doing this investigation is to determine whether it is safe to drink from a soda can without first washing the top. Based on the cleanliness of the store, I believe Wal-Mart's generic brand soda can top will contain the most bacteria. Methods/Materials The independent variables that I am using in my science project are soda cans of Pepsi, Coke, Shasta, and generic brands from Target, Wal-Mart, Foodmax and Winco stores. First, I will put on sterile gloves. Next, I will wipe sterile cotton swabs onto the soda cans. Then, I will wipe the same cotton swabs onto the Petri dishes. Next, I will tape the Petri dishes closed and put them into the incubator, where I will let them sit for three days. Lastly, I will count the colonies of bacteria and record the data. Results The result of my investigation showed that the Target store soda can tops contained the most bacteria and the Wal-Mart store soda can tops contained the least amount of bacteria. As for the brands, the Shasta brand contained the highest amount of bacteria on the tops of their soda cans and the Coke brand contained the least. Over all, the Foodmax Shasta brand by far contained the highest amount of bacteria on their tops of the soda cans. Conclusions/Discussion In conclusion, although Foodmax Shasta had the most amount of bacteria colonies, all of the soda cans tested had bacteria, with Winco's generic having the least. Therefore, it is important that you always wash the top of your soda can before taking the first sip.

Summary statement

Discovering the cleanliness of the tops of soda cans, by testing different brands from different stores.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2012 Microbiology (General) · Entry J1504

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