Pour and spread plates are the conventional methods of choice for the isolation and enumeration of heterotrophic microorganisms in treated water supplies. The tests are performed at 22°C and 37°C for 72 h and 48 h respectively. Counts at 22°C are associated with pollution of water systems from external sources, while counts at 37°C are used as an indication of treatment plant performance and the deterioration of the general quality of water. Conventional methods using Yeast Extract Agar for a pour plate and R2A agar for a spread plate were compared with the multidose IDEXXTM SimPlate method for the isolation and enumeration of heterotrophic bacteria in water. SimPlate gave a significantly higher count on average than the conventional methods. The R2A method showed the next highest count, being significantly higher than Yeast Extract Agar. In addition, unlike the pour and spread plate methods, SimPlate was easier to use, reduced labour, and the test results were far easier to read.
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Research Article|
July 01 2004
Comparison of agar-based methods for the isolation and enumeration of heterotrophic bacteria with the new Multidose IDEXX(tm) SimPlate method
M. Vulindlu;
*City of Cape Town, Water Services, Scientific Services Department, P.O. Box 16548, Vlaeberg 8018, Cape Town, South Africa
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A. Charlett;
A. Charlett
**Central Public Health Laboratory, Food Safety Microbiology, Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Unit, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5HT, UK
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S. Surman;
S. Surman
**Central Public Health Laboratory, Food Safety Microbiology, Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Unit, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5HT, UK
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J.V. Lee
J.V. Lee
**Central Public Health Laboratory, Food Safety Microbiology, Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Unit, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5HT, UK
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Water Sci Technol (2004) 50 (1): 277–280.
Citation
M. Vulindlu, A. Charlett, S. Surman, J.V. Lee; Comparison of agar-based methods for the isolation and enumeration of heterotrophic bacteria with the new Multidose IDEXX(tm) SimPlate method. Water Sci Technol 1 July 2004; 50 (1): 277–280. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2004.0067
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