Enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae
Enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae
The Enterobacteriaceae family are the microorganisms that are most relevant to food microbiology. Microorganisms such as coliform bacteria, fecal coliforms, E. coli (type 1), E. coli O157:H7 serotype, Salmonella, Shigella and Yersinia enterocolitica are included in this group.
Enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae is especially important in the food industry as a hygiene parameter. If the Enterobacteriaceae number is zero in a sample in the “Enterobacteriaceae count” due to its subgroups; the total number of coliforms, fecal coliforms and E. coli will also be zero.
Enterobacteriaceae analysis is generally analyzed by pouring or spreading method. The following comments can be made about the sample by counting Enterobacteriaceae:
- Whether the hygiene and sanitation rules are applied, the cleaning of the equipment used
- Presence of enteropathogenic and toxigenic microorganisms