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Description |
EC Broth is a buffered medium containing lactose. It is in the range of selective broths for Enterobacteriaceae. Its efficiency or selectivity is based on bile salts’ inhibitory effect on other microorganisms. This broth may be used for routine testing of water and food, either alone or by using the Most Probable Number method of enumeration. The type of sample will determine how precise the results are. If the incubation is at 35-37°C for 48 hours, gas formation may be interpreted as presumptive evidence of coliform bacteria. Later confirmation will have to be done using any of the classical methods.Should the incubation take place at 44,5°C, gas formation could be interpreted as a confirmation of the presence of Escherichia coli. Nevertheless, it must be taken into account that the validity of this test is highly limited by technical variations. A maximum incubation time of 24 hours in a water bath with a very precise temperature regulation, is therefore recommended. When using the s |
