Fecal coliform elevated-temperature test: a physiological basis.
The physiological basis of the Eijkman elevated-temperature test for differentiating fecal from nonfecal coliforms was investigated. Manometric studies indicated that the inhibitory effect upon growth and metabolism in a nonfecal coliform at 44.5 degrees C involved cellular components common to both aerobic and fermentative metabolism of lactose. Radioactive substrate incorporation experiments implicated cell membrane function as a principal focus for temperature sensitivity at 44.5 degrees C. A temperature increase from 35 to 44.5 degrees C drastically reduced the rates of [14C]glucose uptake in nonfecal coliforms, whereas those of fecal coliforms were essentially unchanged. In addition, relatively low levels of nonfecal coliform beta-galactosidase activity coupled with thermal inactivation of this enzyme at a comparatively low temperature may also inhibit growth and metabolism of nonfecal coliforms at the elevated temperature.
D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005285:Fermentation; D005634:Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007785:Lactose / Q000378:metabolism; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D013045:Species Specificity; D014871:Water Microbiology; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000378:metabolism
D001616:beta-Galactosidase; D005634:Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase; D005947:Glucose; D007785:Lactose