INTRODUCTION

Coliform bacteria originate as organisms in soil or vegetation and in the intestinal tract
of warm-blooded animals (fecal coli). This group of bacteria has long been an indicator of
water contamination and possible presence of intestinal parasites and pathogens. Coliform
bacteria are relatively simple to identify, are present in much larger numbers than more
dangerous pathogens, and react to the natural environment and treatment processes similarly
to pathogens. By observing coliform bacteria, the increase or decrease of many pathogenic
bacteria can be estimated. (Treyens C. ,2009)

Coliform bacteria is a group of gram-negative bacteria (most common being the

escherichia coli or E. coli which can grow at elevated temperatures) found in the intestinal
tract (therefore in the feces) of humans and other animals. These rod-shaped microorganisms
aid in digestion and are largely harmless. If ingested through contaminated food or water,
however, they may cause bacterial or viral gastroenteritis, Hepatitis A, typhoid fever, and
associated problems. (WebFinance, Inc., 2015)

Escherichia coli (E. coli), a member of the coliform group, can be distinguished from
most other coliforms by its ability to ferment lactose at 44°C , and by its growth and colour
reaction on certain types of culture media. Unlike the general coliform group, E. coli are
almost exclusively of fecal origin and their presence is thus an effective confirmation of fecal
confirmation of fecal contamination. Typically, E. coli are about 10% of the coliforms in
human feces.

In the multiple-tube method, a series of tubes containing a suitable selective broth

culture medium which is Brilliant green lactose bile (BGLB) broth is inoculated with test
portions of a water sample. After a specified incubation time at a given temperature, each
tube showing gas formation is regarded as “presumptive positive” since the gas indicates the
possible presence of coliforms. However, gas may also be produced by other organisms, and
so a subsequent confirmatory test is essential. The two tests are known respectively as the
presumptive test and the confirmatory test. For the confirmatory test, a more selective culture
medium is inoculated with material taken from the positive tubes. After an appropriate
incubation time, the tubes are examined for gas formation as before. The most probable
number (MPN) of bacteria present can then be estimated from the number of tubes inoculated
and the number of positive tubes obtained in the confirmatory test, using specially devised
statistical tables. This technique is known as the MPN method. (“Multiple-tube method for
thermotolerant (faecal) coliforms”, 2014) Serial dilution tests measure the concentration of a
target microbe in a sample with an estimate called the most probable number (MPN). The
MPN is particularly useful for low concentrations of organisms (<100/g), especially in milk
and water, and for those foods whose particulate matter may interfere with accurate colony
counts.
REFERENCES

1. Treyens C. , (2009). Bacteria and private Wells . [Online] . 25 November 2015 , Retrieved
from:
http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/pdf/dw/publications/ontap/magazine/OTWI09_features/BacteriaAn
dPrivateWells.pdf

2. WebFinance, Inc., (2015), Coliform bacteria [Online]. 25 November 2015. Retrieved from:

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/coliform-bacteria.html#ixzz3sVI1CHtM

3. Multiple-tube method for thermotolerant (faecal) coliforms. (2014) [Online]. 25 November

2015. Retrieved from:

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/2edvol3i.pdf

4. A.A. Van Soestbergen, Ho L. C, (Dec, 1969), Applied Microbiology, “Pour Plate or Steak
Plate”, , Vol. 18, No. 6, pg. 1092 – 1093. [Online]. 3 December 2015. Retrieved from:
http://aem.asm.org/

5. Dr. Eby Bassiri, (nd), Microbiology, “Enumeration of Microorganisms”. [Online]. 3

December 2015. Retrieved from :
http://www.sas.upenn.edu/LabManuals/biol275/Table_of_Contents_files/14-Enumeration.pdf