Fluorogenic detection of atypical coliforms from water samples.
We examined the effectiveness of fluorogen in detecting bacterial enzymes in atypical or injured coliform strains in environmental water samples. 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-galactoside and 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucuronide, substrates for beta-galactosidase and beta-glucuronidase respectively, were used as markers for total and faecal coliform bacteria and it was confirmed that fluorogenic assays have a greater sensitivity than reference methods. It was also observed that adding MU-conjugates (50 micrograms/ml) to low selective media for membrane filtration, besides shortening test times, reduces false negative results when detecting sanitary microbial indicators of water pollution.
Cenci
G
G
Department of Hygiene, University of Perugia, Italy.
Caldini
G
G
Sfodera
F
F
Morozzi
G
G
D001419:Bacteria / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003470:Culture Media; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005696:Galactosidases / Q000032:analysis*; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000032:analysis*; D007785:Lactose / Q000378:metabolism; D014871:Water Microbiology; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000032:analysis*
D003470:Culture Media; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005696:Galactosidases; D001616:beta-Galactosidase; D005966:Glucuronidase; D007785:Lactose