Description

INTENDED USE

m Endo Agar LES is used for enumerating coliforms in water by membrane filtration.

SUMMARY AND EXPLANATION

McCarthy, Delaney and Grasso formulated Endo Agar LES (Lawrence Experimental Station) for testing water for coliform bacteria by a two-step membrane filter procedure using Lauryl Tryptose Broth as a preliminary enrichment. They recovered higher numbers of coliforms by this method compared with the one step technique using m Endo Broth.

The American Public Health Association specifies using m Endo Agar LES in the standard total coliform membrane filtration procedure for testing drinking water and bottled water. It is also specified for use in the completed phase of the standard total coliform fermentation technique. The coliform bacteria are bacteria that produce a red colony with a metallic (golden) sheen within 24 hours incubation at 35°C on an Endo-type medium.

PRINCIPLE

m Endo Agar LES contains peptones as sources of carbon, nitrogen, vitamins and minerals. Yeast extract supplies B-complex vitamins, which stimulate bacterial growth. Lactose is the carbohydrate. Phosphates are buffering agents. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance of the medium. Sodium desoxycholate and sodium lauryl sulfate are added as inhibitors. Basic fuchsin is a pH indicator. Sodium sulfite is added to decolorize the basic fuchsin solution. Agar is the solidifying agent.

Lactose-fermenting bacteria produce acetaldehyde that reacts with the sodium sulfite and fuchsin to form red colonies. The development of a metallic sheen occurs when the organism produces aldehydes with the rapid fermentation of lactose. If the inoculum is too heavy, the sheen will be suppressed. Lactose-nonfermenting bacteria form clear, colorless colonies.