NEMI Method Summary

Method Summary Information

Method Number: D6503 Media: WATER
Revision: Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1999. Published April 2000.
Method Source: ASTM International
Subcategory: MICROBIOLOGICAL Analytes in this method
Official Name: Standard Test Method for Enterococci in Water Using Enterolert (TM)
Descriptive Name Enterococci in Water
Source Info: ASTM International
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Email: service@astm.org
Citation: ASTM Volume 11.02
 
Brief Method
Summary:
 This test method is used for the detection of enterococci, such as E. faecium, E. faecalis in drinking water, source water, recreational waters (marine water and fresh), and bottled water. When the reagent is added to the sample and incubated at 41 +/- 0.5oC for 24 h, Enterolert can detect these bacteria at 1 CFU/100 mL. Fluorescence is produced when enterococci metabolizes the nutrient indicator. Enterolert can be used as a presence-absence test or for quantification (5-tube, 10-tube MPN, 15-tube serial dilution or the Quanti-Tray system).
Scope And
Application:
 This test method describes a simple procedure for the detection of enterococci in water and wastewater. It is based on IDEXX's patented Defined Substrate Technology (DST). This product, Enterolert, utilizes a nutrient indicator that fluoresces when metabolized. It can detect these bacteria at one colony forming unit (CFU)/100 mL within 24 h. The presence of this microorganism in water is an indication of fecal contamination and the possible presence of enteric pathogens. This test method can be used successfully with drinking water, source water, recreational (fresh and marine) water, and bottled water. It is the user's responsibility to ensure the validity of this test method for waters of untested matrices.
Applicable
Conc Range:
 1 and greater CFU/100 mL
Interferences: The presence of Bacillus spp. can interfere with the testing of marine water samples. To eliminate interference, a 1:10 dilution is required with sterile water (deionized or distilled).
QC Requirements: Check and record temperatures in incubators daily to insure temperature is within stated limits.
Quality control should be conducted on each new lot of Enterolert. See package insert for the recommended quality control procedure, which consists of the following protocol: For each type of the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) bacterial strain listed below, streak the culture onto labeled TSA or blood agar plates and incubate at 35C for 18 to 24 h. For each bacterial strain, touch a 1-ml loop to a colony and use it to inoculate a labeled test tube containing 5 mL of sterile deionized water. Close cap and shake thoroughly. For each bacterial strain, take a 1-ml loop from the test tube and use it to inoculate a labeled vessel containing 100 mL. Follow the Enterolert presence/absence steps listed above to test these controls. Compare the test results to the expected results.
Sample Handling: Collect the sample as described in detail in the USEPA microbiological methods manual and in accordance with Practices D 3370.
Sample Storage Temperature and Handling Conditions - Ice or refrigerate water samples at a temperature of 2 to 8oC during transit to the laboratory. Use insulated containers to ensure proper maintenance of storage temperatures. Take care that sample bottles are not totally immersed in water during transit or storage.
Max Holding Time:
 6 hours
 
Relative Cost: Unknown
URL to obtain ordering information for this method:
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