COLICOMPLETE(R) SUBSTRATE-SUPPORTING DISC METHOD FOR CONFIRMED DETECTION OF TOTAL COLIFORMS AND ESCHERICHIA-COLI IN ALL FOODS - COMPARATIVE-STUDY

The ColiComplete(R) substrate-supporting disc (SSD) method for simultaneous confirmed total coliform count and Escherichia coli determination in all foods was compared with the AOAC most probable number (MPN) methods 966.23 and 966.24. In this comparative study, 20 water and food types were analyzed; 7 of these foods were naturally contaminated with coliform bacteria, 6 food types were naturally contaminated with E. coli, and the remaining foods were inoculated with coliform bacteria and/or E. coli. Data were analyzed separately for total coliform bacteria and for E. coli. Mean log MPN counts were determined by the SSD method and the appropriate AOAC MPN procedure. Results were then analyzed for mean log MPN differences and variance, according to methods described by AOAC INTERNATIONAL. Results for both total coliforms and E. coli indicate that the SSD method is equivalent to or better than AOAC MPN methods 966.23 and 966.24.