Coliform Bacteria

These organisms are quite interesting. In fact, observing this coliform bacteria can help you to easily estimate the decrease or increase of many other bacteria. They are normally easy to identify and their presence shows there is a possibility of intestinal parasites or pathogens. Their reaction with the natural environment is similar to that of other pathogens.

Generally coliform bacteria are present in much larger number than other pathogens that may be dangerous. Their main source is decomposed waste products in water and runoff which is basically from high populated areas. Spigot, sink, and dirty containers are also common sources.

They mostly reside in soil and water. In fact, when health officers are testing the water for pathogens such as protozoa and viruses, they use coliform bacteria as a means of calculating these kinds of harmful pathogens since they are difficult to detect on their own. In a simpler way, we can put it that they are not considered as pathogens and they basically indicate microbial quality of water.

Some tests such as MPN which means Most Probable Number and MUG are normally applied to determine the total number of bacteria. In the MPN test, a test tube that is full of media with a smaller inverted tube is confined. If carbon dioxide is released then it shows this bacteria is present. On the other hand, a fine porosity filter that can retain bacteria is placed on a petri dish on a pad with growth enrichment media, this is a membrane filter method.

write by Renaldo Davis