Evaluation of recovery methods to detect faecal streptococci in polluted waters.
OBJECTIVE
This paper compares the faecal streptococci count on 25 samples of polluted waters obtained with three techniques: most probable number (MPN), membrane filtration (MF) and pour plate (PP) methods. Although the PP method is a simple technique, familiar to water bacteriologists, it is not recommended in the international methods.


RESULTS
For the MPN method, azide dextrose broth and ethyl violet azide broth were employed. For the MF technique, Millipore filters were placed onto azide maltose agar (KF agar), while for the PP method, 1 ml of a decimal water dilution was added to (Kennel Faecal) KF medium. Regression analysis and Friedman's ANOVA were performed to determine the relationship between faecal streptococci counts obtained with the three techniques. Statistical analysis of the results showed that the MPN, MF and PP techniques were equally valid with respect to faecal streptococci enumeration in polluted waters.


CONCLUSIONS
Since the PP method was found to be as good as the other techniques, it may be preferred in polluted waters. It is more economical in terms of both time and materials than the MPN count, and it is as accurate as the MF count.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that the PP method, although not recommended internationally, is a reliable alternative to MF and MPN.
Massa
S
S
Istituto di Produzioni e Preparazioni Alimentari, Facoltà di Agraria di Foggia, Università di Foggia, Italy.
Brocchi
G F
GF
Peri
G
G
Altieri
C
C
Mammina
C
C
D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D002452:Cell Count; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005374:Filtration; D008722:Methods; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D018508:Water Purification