The use of R2A medium and the spread plate method for the enumeration of heterotrophic bacteria in drinking water |
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| Authors: | R.A. Gibbs C.R. Hayes |
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| Affiliation: | Anglian Water Laboratory, Grafham Water Treatment Works, West Perry, Huntingdon PE18 0BW, UK |
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| Abstract: | The pour plate method with yeast extract agar and a 3 d incubation period is the standard method in the UK for the enumeration of heterotrophic bacteria in drinking water. We have compared the standard method with other procedures using the spread plate technique, R2A medium and a longer incubation period. The R2A spread plate method with a 7 d incubation period gave an average estimate of bacterial numbers 520 times greater than for the standard method. This alternative method is recommended for obtaining a more accurate estimate of heterotrophic bacterial populations in drinking water. |
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