Performance Comparison of RAPID'E.coli 2 and Chromocult Agars

This technical report documents a performance comparison of RAPID'E.coli 2 Agar and Chromocult Coliform Agar for the enumeration of total coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli in drinking water. The study involved examining 200 water samples, using dechlorinated municipal drinking water inoculated with secondary sewage effluents to simulate contamination. The report outlines the methodology, including the use of chromogenic substrates for detecting bacterial colonies. Results indicated that RAPID'E.coli 2 Agar demonstrated high selectivity against interfering flora and allowed for clearer interpretation of results compared to Chromocult Agar. Statistical evaluations showed that the results obtained with REC2 Agar were statistically equivalent to those from Chromocult Agar, while also eliminating the need for further confirmation tests. The findings suggest that RAPID'E.coli 2 Agar provides an efficient and effective method for detecting fecal contamination in water, which is critical for public health.