Sensitivity analysis of field test kits for rapid assessment of bacteriological quality of water

Abstract

Research Article| August 01 2012 Sensitivity analysis of field test kits for rapid assessment of bacteriological quality of water Dinesh Kumar; Dinesh Kumar 1Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India E-mail: dinesh.poswal0197@gmail.com Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Neha Tyagi; Neha Tyagi 1Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar A. B. Gupta A. B. Gupta 2Department of Civil Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, 302017, India Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua (2012) 61 (5): 283–290. https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2012.088 Article history Received: October 29 2011 Accepted: April 26 2012 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Cite Icon Cite Permissions Search Site Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll JournalsThis Journal Search Advanced Search Citation Dinesh Kumar, Neha Tyagi, A. B. Gupta; Sensitivity analysis of field test kits for rapid assessment of bacteriological quality of water. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 1 August 2012; 61 (5): 283–290. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2012.088 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex Bacterial testing kits are designed to provide rapid and cost-effective solutions for testing the bacterial contamination in potable water with reasonable accuracy. In this study, the culture method of bacteriological examination was used to critically evaluate the sensitivity of three different bacteriological test methods, namely, the Colilert-18h method, H2S Test Medium (Powder) K019 and Bacteriological H2S Strip Test, to provide an appropriate end-point use. Bacteriological sensitivity results of Colilert-18h were compared with those of the culture method. Once the Colilert-18h was found to be very sensitive to total coliform counts (TCC), the sensitivity analysis of the other two field kits was carried out. Results obtained from Colilert-18h showed that it is a highly sensitive and reproducible method as corroborated by the results of the spread plating method. Subsequently, the Colilert-18h method was used as a standard for critically evaluating the sensitivity of two available field kits, namely, H2S Test Medium (Powder) K019 (sensitive for ≥4 TCC) and Bacteriological H2S Strip Test (sensitive for ≥30 TCC), within 24–48 h of incubation, as suggested in their procedures. Thus, H2S Test Medium (Powder) K019 is recommended for routine field testing for coliforms, as it is able to detect Salmonella, Citrobacter and other bacteria simultaneously. coliforms, Colilert-18h, H2S Strip Test, spread plating method This content is only available as a PDF. © IWA Publishing 2012 You do not currently have access to this content.