Why Fecal Coliform Testing Is Important – e. coli ?
Total coliform bacteria are a collection of relatively harmless microorganisms that live in large numbers in the intestines of man and warm- and cold-blooded animals. They aid in the digestion of food. A specific subgroup of this collection is the fecal coliform bacteria, the most common member being Escherichia coli (e. coli). These organisms may be separated from the total coliform group by their ability to grow at elevated temperatures and are associated only with the fecal material of warm-blooded animals. The fecal coliform group includes all of the rod-shaped bacteria that are non-sporeforming, Gram-Negative , lactose-fermenting in 24 hours at 44.5 C, and which can grow with or without oxygen. Fecal coliform by themselves are usually not pathogenic; they are indicator organisms, which means they may indicate the presence of other pathogenic bacteria. Pathogens are typically present in such small amounts it is impractical monitor them directly. Note: Some strains of Escherichia co
