Non-fecal and fecal coliform tests of ready-to-eat food and drinks using fluorogenic and chromogenic media

The aim of this research was to assess the microbiological quality of ready-to-eat foods and drinks. Fifteen samples were enriched in buffered peptone water (BPW) before tested for the presence of coliforms using two chromogenic media (Chromocult Coliform Agar-Enhanced Selectivity (CCA-ES) and Harlequin E. coli agar (HEC)) and a fluorogenic medium (Readycult Coliform 100 (RC 100)) at 37°C. Results showed that all samples contained non-Escherichia. coli coliforms and 12 of them contained Escherichia coli. Twelve E. coli strains and 15 non-E. coli coliform isolates were isolated. Fecal coliform tests showed that the isolated E. coli from 12 samples were of fecal origin while only 7 out of 15 coliform isolates were fecal non-E. coli coliforms.