A new, automated rapid fluorometric method for the detection of Escherichia coli in recreational waters

摘要: Abstract Membrane filtration/culture techniques have been demonstrated to be reliable and broadly applicable for determination of fecal contamination in recreational waters. The time-consuming nature culture techniques, however, is viewed as the major disadvantage this type analysis, many authors asserted need improved rapid-detection methods. In study, we evaluated performance ENDETEC™ TECTA™ B16, an automated fluorometry-based microbial detection system, by comparing its time accuracy those two common culture-based methods, which are widely-used water quality monitoring Canada. Our results that Escherichia coli densities inferred method were generally agreement with generated standard methods (y = 1.19x + 0.002, R 2  = 0.89) under current calibration regime, tended slightly overestimate E. densities. addition, was able detect exceedance Ontario Provincial Water Quality Objective waters little 4 h (mean time = 7.03 h), representing a substantial improvement over traditional techniques. findings suggest calibration, may provide viable, cost-effective, rapid alternative approaches