AWWA QTC97152

The microbiological quality of drinking water continues to rely on the detection of indicator organisms. Methods based on the two enzymes beta-D-galactosidase and beta-D-glucuronidase are being used with increasing frequency. However, the specificity of these methods has recently been called into question. Most of the United Kingdom water industry currently uses membrane filtration for the detection of coliforms and E. coli, but there is an increasing shift towards the use of more rapid, simple and cost effective methods. The use of chromogenic and fluorogenic substrates fulfills these criteria and is becoming more widely utilized. The purpose of this study was to examine the specificity of three different media based upon the detection of the enzymes beta-D-galactosidase and beta-D-glucuronidase. The media tested were Fluorocult (Merck), Colisure (Millipore) and Colilert (IDEXX). Organisms which produced reactions for either of the two enzymes were isolated and identified using physiological tests, 16S rRNA probes and the polymerase chain reaction.

Product Details

Published:

01/01/1997

ISBN(s):

0898679583

Number of Pages:

5

File Size:

1 file , 69 KB