Palintest's new Colitag system is described as a simple, reliable method for the detection, identification and confirmation of total coliforms and E coli in 24 hours or less
The system is predispensed, ready for use, and a single inoculation can be performed in less than two minutes.
A colour change following incubation provides a conclusive, easy-to-read result without the need for confirmatory tests or sub-cultures. The examination of water for microbial pollution is vitally important.
Drinking water supplies, swimming pools and spas are all regularly monitored for the indicator organism E coli.
The two currently accepted methods involve lengthy, labour intensive procedures, can take two to five days, are susceptible to interference by non-coliform bacteria, and the results are open to subjective interpretation.
Colitag is a pre-dispensed, dry blended reagent formulation.
It contains specific indicator/nutrients for total coliform and E coli.
The system can be used for both 'most probable number' (MPN) and 'presence or absence' (P/A) tests.
It is said to be the only system that allows a simultaneous test for both Mug positive and indole positive E coli, negating the risk of false negative results.
Its pH gradient technique means improved resuscitation of stressed coliforms and a lower false negative rate.
The reagent and sample are simply mixed in a sterile tube and then incubated at 35C.
The formation of a yellow colour indicates the presence of total coliforms.
E coli is then indicated by fluorescence under UV light.
Coliform or E coli positive water samples are detected at the one colony forming unit per 100ml level.
