Detection and enumeration of faecal indicator bacteria in water

Detection and enumeration of faecal indicator bacteria in water My recent work has established that traditional brass and copper vessels used in India have antimicrobial properties when used to store drinking water for 48 hours (Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 88: 35- 48), with international news coverage of the research in New Scientist, Nature, Science, BBC World Service, Indian press, etc. My research interests focus in the inactivation of faecal bacteria in water, especially as a result of various factors, namely exposure to brass/copper, sunlight, high temperature, chlorine, low pH, or starvation, on the enumeration of faecal indicator bacteria in water, performed using non- selective & selective media under conventional aerobic conditions & under conditions designed to neutralise reactive oxygen species e.g. by the addition of 0.05% w/v sodium pyruvate as a scavenger of peroxides &/or anaerobic incubation, to encourage fermentative metabolism. The information gained was used for the development of a novel broth-based medium ( Coliblack ) for the enumeration of sub- lethally injured Escherichia coli under field conditions in India.