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. 1988 Aug;54(8):2118-22.
doi: 10.1128/aem.54.8.2118-2122.1988.

Rapid detection of total and fecal coliforms in water by enzymatic hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferone-beta-D-galactoside

J D Berg  1 , L Fiksdal
Affiliations

Rapid detection of total and fecal coliforms in water by enzymatic hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferone-beta-D-galactoside

J D Berg et al. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1988 Aug.

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.

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