Abstract
The Agnano thermal spring water (ATSW) is mainly a
salso-bromo-iodic-bicarbonate-alkaline-sulphurous water. Since ancient
time, the benefits of thermal spring water in the treatment of various
diseases have been known. Today it is known that thermal spring water
acts effectively on various physiological and pathological processes
such as skin regeneration, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and
bone illnesses and most of these beneficial effects depend on the
chemical and physical properties of water. However, all the benefits of
thermal spring water may not be fully explained only by its mineral
composition. In this regard, it is known that non-pathogenic bacterial
populations play an active role in various processes in the ecological
and biological fields. The aim of the present study is the
microbiological characterization of ATSW through the use of two distinct
methods in order to determine the total viable bacterial community.