A STUDY OF THE PECTOLYTIC BACTERIAL POPULATION IN SOME FARM WATER SUPPLIES

SUMMARY: Pectolytic bacteria in considerable numbers were detected in samples from farm water supplies. Two media were employed, and quantitative data were obtained, in both cases, but colony counts on sodium pectate-calcium agar poured plates gave higher numbers than a presumptive count in sodium pectate solution. The agar medium also permitted the growth of non-pectolytic bacteria, and the total colony count was higher than that obtained on standard nutrient agar. Presumptive coliaerogenes counts in broth tubes showed that these organisms were, on the average, about four times as numerous as the pectolytic organisms.