CHROMagar™ ECC

The CHROMagar™ ECC medium is a specialized diagnostic tool for the simultaneous detection, differentiation, and enumeration of Escherichia coli and other coliforms in water and food samples. This chromogenic medium simplifies microbial analysis by providing clear visual differentiation between E. coli and other coliforms, aiding in monitoring compliance with strict safety regulations.

Key Features

1. Simultaneous Detection and Differentiation:
   • Detects and differentiates between E. coli and other coliforms on a single medium.
   • Identifies E. coli contamination (indicating fecal contamination) versus coliform presence (organic or environmental contamination).
2. Easy-to-Read Results:
   • Distinct, high-contrast colony colors:
     • E. coli: Mauve colonies.
     • Coliforms: Blue colonies.
   • Avoids color blending seen in other chromogenic media.
3. Versatility:
   • Suitable for various methods:
     • Poured plates for isolation.
     • Membrane filtration techniques.
     • Melted medium pour technique.
4. Efficiency:
   • Reduces workload compared to traditional methods like MI Agar.
   • Facilitates faster and more reliable microbial enumeration.

Applications

1. Water Testing:
   • Ensures compliance with drinking water standards, such as the U.S. EPA’s Total Coliform Rule (TCR):
     • <1 CFU/100 mL for drinking water.
     • <100 CFU/100 mL for recreational water quality.
     • <1,000 CFU/100 mL for fishing and boating water.
2. Food Safety Monitoring:
   • Detects coliform and E. coli contamination in food production and distribution.
   • Prevents food recalls and contamination-related outbreaks.
3. Environmental Analysis:
   • Identifies contamination sources in soil and water samples.
   • Monitors compliance with environmental safety regulations.
4. Research:
   • Supports studies on bacterial dispersal, environmental contamination, and antimicrobial resistance.

Composition (per liter)

Product Formats

Preparation and Usage

1. Preparation:
   • Follow instructions in the product leaflet for media preparation.
   • Can be prepared as poured plates or used with membrane filtration methods.
2. Incubation:
   • Incubate at appropriate conditions as per sample type and regulatory standards.
3. Result Interpretation:
   • Mauve colonies indicate E. coli.
   • Blue colonies indicate other coliforms.

Scientific Publications Supporting CHROMagar™ ECC

1. 2023:
   • "A membrane filtration method for the enumeration of Escherichia coli in bathing water and other waters with high levels of background bacteria"
     Authors: Merel A. Kemper et al.
2. 2023:
   • "Dispersal and risk factors for airborne E. coli in the proximity to beef cattle feedlots"
     Authors: Xiaohong Wei et al.
3. 2021:
   • "Evidence for selection of multi-resistant E. coli by hospital effluent"
     Authors: N. Kraupner et al.

Advantages

1. High Sensitivity and Specificity:
   • Ensures precise differentiation of fecal contamination (E. coli) from general coliform presence.
2. Time-Saving:
   • Reduces labor compared to traditional methods, accelerating the testing process.
3. Regulatory Compliance:
   • Helps ensure adherence to water and food safety standards.
4. Broad Application Range:
   • Adaptable to a variety of testing workflows and sample types.

Storage Conditions

• Store dehydrated medium in a cool, dry place.
• Once prepared, store plates at recommended conditions and use promptly.

The CHROMagar™ ECC medium is a critical tool for microbiologists in water quality, food safety, and environmental monitoring, providing accurate, efficient, and visually clear results for the detection and enumeration of E. coli and coliforms.