Presence/Absence of E.coli and coliforms
in 100ml water samples.
Liquid Technique
Typical Appearance of microrganisms
E.coli → Blue to Blue Green Liquid
Other Coliforms → Yellow Liquid
Coliforms, Enterobacteriacae able to ferment lactose, are bacteria present in human and warm blooded animals intestinal flora, in the soil and water. Coliforms are indicators of organic, environmental or faecal contamination.
Strict regulations exist for E. coli/coliform abscence in water and food samples. This can be explained by the importance of these germs in determining water and food safety. Worldwide, water and food quality control for human consumption are based on detecting the presence/absence of E. coli and coliforms.
E. coli can contaminate drinking water when the water treatment system is inadequate or during periods of very high rainfalls. Monitoring of food and water production is essential. Contamination may lead to suspension of the water supply and food recall by supermarkets.
1. Simple Method: Add the pre-weighed dose of AquaCHROM™ ECC to a 100 mL water simple, shake and incubate at 37 °C for 18-24h.
2. Detection by naked eye: No need of UV lamp! Species differentiation is based on the use of two chromogens (instead of obsolete use of chromogene + fluorogene).
3. Very suitable for field test: This culture medium has been also designed for tests in areas where neither incubators nor UV lamps are available. The incubation could be carried out at room temperature (longer incubation) and results are read under daylight. Simple method!