title: Rapid detection of total and fecal coliforms in water by enzymatic hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferone-beta-D-galactoside.
abstract: Three fluorogenic methylumbelliferone (MU) substrates were evaluated for rapid detection of total and fecal coliform bacteria (TC and FC) in drinking water. 4-MU-beta-D-galactoside, MU-heptanoate, and MU-glucuronide were used to determine enzyme activity as a surrogate measure of coliform concentration. Coliforms occurring in river water and in potable water artificially contaminated with raw sewage were tested. The initial rate of hydrolysis (delta F) of MU-beta-D-galactoside showed promise as an indicator of TC and FC within 15 min. delta F of MU-glucuronide was insufficient in the 15-min assay, and combinations of the MU substrates did not enhance delta F. A direct membrane filter method incorporating MU-beta-D-galactoside into an agar medium allowed the detection of as few as 1 FC per 100 ml within 6 h.
authors.affiliation: Aquateam-Norwegian Water Technology Centre A/S, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fiksdal
mesh_terms: D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005697:Galactosides / Q000378:metabolism*; D006027:Glycosides / Q000378:metabolism*; D006868:Hydrolysis; D006923:Hymecromone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism*; D012722:Sewage; D014468:Umbelliferones / Q000378:metabolism*; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005697:Galactosides; D006027:Glycosides; D012722:Sewage; D014468:Umbelliferones; C054268:4-methylumbelliferyl heptanoate; D006923:Hymecromone; C026845:4-methylumbelliferyl-galactopyranoside; C034888:4-methylumbelliferyl glucuronide