Performance Evaluation of an Italian Reference Method, the ISO Reference Method and a Chromogenic Rapid Method for the Detection of E. coli and Coliforms in Bottled Water.

Bottled water can be contaminated by coliforms and/or Escherichia coli ( E. coli). These bacteria are considered as indicators of faecal pollution, and their detection in bottled water indicates the potential contamination by pathogenic enteric microorganisms. In recent decades, different methods were developed for the detection of coliforms and E. coli in drinking water and in bottled water including mineral water. Since 1976, the Italian regulation has defined microbiological methods to evaluate microbiological characteristics of mineral waters. Three different methods for the detection of coliforms and E. coli in bottled water were compared in this study: the Italian reference method, according to the 'Italian Ministerial Rule,' the ISO 9308-1:2002 method, and a new rapid method. The results have demonstrated that the ISO method 9308-1:2002 and the new rapid method are as sensitive and specific as Italian reference method, and that both could be used to evaluate the contamination level of coliform and E. coli in drinking water and in bottled water including mineral water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]