RELATIVE EFFICACY OF 4-METHYL UMBELLIFERYL BETA-D GLUCURONIDE (MUG) GROWTH MEDIA FOR THE DETECTION OF ESCHERICHIA-COLI IN PROCESSED FOODS

The relative efficacy of 4-methyl-umbelliferyl beta-D glucuronide (MUG ) containing growth media was evaluated in comparison with other conve ntional methods for the detection of Escherichia coli. The accuracy of E. coli detection from processed foods using violet red bile agar (VR BA) was 65%. The method required 4-5 days to yield the first confirmed results. MPN procedures dependent on growth and gas production at 44. 5 degrees C did not clearly separate E. coli from other positive faeca l coliforms. The fluorescent colonies appearing on MUG media in 18-24 h belonged to E. coli giving an accuracy of 100%. The present study in dicated that MUG containing growth media could be used directly for E. coli detection and enumeration in one step and confirmation obtained in 18 h.