Effect of potential water pollutants and enzyme inhibitors on an automated rapid test for Escherichia coli

Abstract

The effect of selected potential inhibitors that may be found in water or wastewater on the activity of glutamate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.15) from Escherichia coli was determined. Several classes of compounds inhibited the enzyme, but those expected to be most frequently encountered were the heavy metal ions, the phosphates, and possibly the sulfates. From the results, it was judged that these compounds should not adversely affect the routine usage of this enzyme in an automated rapid test for E. coli.