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Title: Detection of fecal coliforms in water by using (/sup 14/C)mannitol

Abstract

Interest in rapid bacterial detection methods for sanitary indicator bacteria in water prompted a study of the use of (U-14C)mannitol to detect fecal coliforms (FC). A simple method which used m-FC broth, membrane filtration, and two-temperature incubation (35 degrees C for 2 h followed by 44.5 degrees C for 2.5 h) was developed. (U-14C)mannitol was added to the medium, and the temperature was raised to 44.5 degrees C after 2 h at 35 degrees C. 14CO2 was collected as Ba14CO3 and assayed by liquid scintillation spectroscopy. Correlations were examined between FC cell numbers at the start of incubation (standard 24-h FC test) and Ba14CO3 counts per minute after 4.5 h. Results indicated that FC numbers ranging from 1 x 10(1) to 2.1 x 10(5) cells could be detected in 4.5 h. Within-sample reproducibility at all cell concentrations was good, but sample-to-sample reproducibility was variable. Comparisons between m-FC broth and m-FC broth modified by substituting D-mannitol for lactose indicated that the standard m-FC broth was the better test medium. Results from experiments in which dimethyl sulfoxide was used to increase permeability of FC to (U-14C)mannitol indicated no increase in 14CO2 production due to dimethyl sulfoxide. Detection of FC by this methodmore » may be useful for rapid estimation of FC levels in freshwater recreational areas, for estimating the quality of potable source water, and potentially for emergency testing of potable water, suspected of contamination due to distribution line breaks or cross-connections.« less

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
5880467
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 55:4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES; BACTERIA; MEASURING METHODS; DRINKING WATER; CONTAMINATION; FRESH WATER; CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS; CARBON DIOXIDE; CULTURE MEDIA; FECES; LACTOSE; REGRESSION ANALYSIS; SCINTILLATION COUNTING; TRACER TECHNIQUES; WATER QUALITY; BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS; BIOLOGICAL WASTES; CARBOHYDRATES; CARBON COMPOUNDS; CARBON OXIDES; CHALCOGENIDES; COUNTING TECHNIQUES; DISACCHARIDES; ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS; LABELLED COMPOUNDS; MATERIALS; MATHEMATICS; MICROORGANISMS; OLIGOSACCHARIDES; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; OXIDES; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; SACCHARIDES; STATISTICS; WASTES; WATER; 520101* - Environment, Aquatic- Basic Studies- Radiometric Techniques- (-1989); 550701 - Microbiology- Tracer Techniques

Citation Formats

Reasoner, D J, and Geldreich, E E. Detection of fecal coliforms in water by using (/sup 14/C)mannitol. United States: N. p., 1989. Web.
Reasoner, D J, & Geldreich, E E. Detection of fecal coliforms in water by using (/sup 14/C)mannitol. United States.
Reasoner, D J, and Geldreich, E E. 1989. "Detection of fecal coliforms in water by using (/sup 14/C)mannitol". United States.
@article{osti_5880467,
title = {Detection of fecal coliforms in water by using (/sup 14/C)mannitol},
author = {Reasoner, D J and Geldreich, E E},
abstractNote = {Interest in rapid bacterial detection methods for sanitary indicator bacteria in water prompted a study of the use of (U-14C)mannitol to detect fecal coliforms (FC). A simple method which used m-FC broth, membrane filtration, and two-temperature incubation (35 degrees C for 2 h followed by 44.5 degrees C for 2.5 h) was developed. (U-14C)mannitol was added to the medium, and the temperature was raised to 44.5 degrees C after 2 h at 35 degrees C. 14CO2 was collected as Ba14CO3 and assayed by liquid scintillation spectroscopy. Correlations were examined between FC cell numbers at the start of incubation (standard 24-h FC test) and Ba14CO3 counts per minute after 4.5 h. Results indicated that FC numbers ranging from 1 x 10(1) to 2.1 x 10(5) cells could be detected in 4.5 h. Within-sample reproducibility at all cell concentrations was good, but sample-to-sample reproducibility was variable. Comparisons between m-FC broth and m-FC broth modified by substituting D-mannitol for lactose indicated that the standard m-FC broth was the better test medium. Results from experiments in which dimethyl sulfoxide was used to increase permeability of FC to (U-14C)mannitol indicated no increase in 14CO2 production due to dimethyl sulfoxide. Detection of FC by this method may be useful for rapid estimation of FC levels in freshwater recreational areas, for estimating the quality of potable source water, and potentially for emergency testing of potable water, suspected of contamination due to distribution line breaks or cross-connections.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5880467}, journal = {Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 55:4,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1989},
month = {Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1989}
}