Culture media for the detection of coliforms/E.coli

Merck has developed culture media for the detection of coliforms/E.coli for matching two different application areas: potable water/processed food or waste water/fresh food. Now you have a choice: Chromocult Coliform Agar and Coliform Agar ES (enhanced selectivity).

The manufacturing process of food and water often results in damage or reduction of micro-organisms, caused by chemical/heat treatment and storage under frozen, dried or chilled conditions. Traditional culture media used for the detection of coliforms/E.coli often contain ox bile or bile salts to inhibit gram-positive bacteria, which may limit the growth of the targeted micro-organisms if they have been damaged before. Chromocult Coliform Agar contains Tergitol 7 as an inhibitor of gram-positive bacteria which has no negative effect on the growth of the targeted coliforms/E.coli. Therefore, Chromocult Coliform Agar is ideal for the detection of coliform/E.coli in potable water and processed foods.

However, fresh food and waste water usually contain a high number of micro-organisms and the high level of accompanying flora requires higher selectivity of the culture medium. Chromocult Coliform Agar ES allows the simultaneous detection of coliforms/E.coli in samples with high bacterial bioburden. The exchange of Tergitol 7 with a combination of bile salts and propionate results in the extensive inhibition of growth of gram-positive and gramnegative bacteria. Therefore, Chromocult Coliform Agar ES is the medium of choice for the detection of coliforms/E.coli in waste water and fresh foods.

Chromocult Coliform Agar and the new Chromocult Coliform Agar ES are selective culture media that uniquely combine the advantages of the Chromocult technology with perfect adaptation to individual needs.

enquiry no 13

Merck KgaA is based in Darmstadt, Germany. www.merck.de/microbiology

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