Comparison of Methods for Estimation of Coliforms, Fecal Coliforms and Enterococci in Retail Ground Beef

Abstract

Seven recommended methods for estimation of coliforms, three for fecal coliforms and four for enterococci were tested on 30 retail ground beef samples. Lauryl sulfate tryptose broth gave higher coliform counts than did MacConkey's broth or brilliant green lactose bile broth 2% in 3-tube Most Probable Number (MPN) methods. With all MPN broths, coliforms counts were significantly (P ⩽0.05) higher after 48 than after 24 h of incubation. Presumptive coliform counts were higher with surface-overlay plating on violet red bile agar than with pour plating on the same agar or with the MPN broths. However, presence of Escherichia coli Type I was not confirmed as often from the agar medium as the broths. For estimation of fecal coliforms, counts did not differ significantly (P ⩽0.05) between EC broth (45.5 C) and brilliant green lactose bile broth 2% (44 C). Enterococci counts varied significantly (P ⩽0.05) among the four methods.