Resuscitation and quantification of stressed Escherichia coli K12 NCTC8797 in water samples

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact on numbers of using different media for the enumeration of Escherichia coli subjected to stress, and to evaluate the use of different resuscitation methods on bacterial, numbers. E. coli was subjected to heat stress by exposure to 55 degrees C for 1 h or to light-induced oxidative stress by exposure to artificial tight for up to 8 h in the presence of methylene blue. In both cases, the bacterial. counts on selective media were below the limits of detection whereas on non-selective media colonies were stilt produced. After resuscitation in non-selective media, using a multi-well MPN resuscitation method or resuscitation on membrane fitters, the bacterial. counts on selective media matched those on non-selective media. Heat and light stress can affect the ability of E. coli to grow on selective media essential. for the enumeration as indicator bacteria. A resuscitation method is essential. for the recovery of these stressed bacteria in order to avoid underestimation of indicator bacteria numbers in water. There was no difference in resuscitation efficiency using the membrane fitter and multi-well. MPN methods. This study emphasises the need to use a resuscitation method if the numbers of indicator bacteria in water samples are not to be underestimated. False-negative results in the analysis of drinking water or natural bathing waters could have profound health effects. (C) 2007 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.