Open AccessThe contribution of induction of temperate phages to the numbers of free somatic coliphages in waters is not significant
Author(s) -
Muniesa Maite,
Jofre Juan
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2007.00676.x
Subject(s) - prophage , somatic cell , lysogenic cycle , temperate climate , temperateness , biology , bacteriophage , bacteria , mitomycin c , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology , genetics , escherichia coli , gene
Somatic coliphages have been proposed as indicators of water quality. But several factors have been considered a drawback for their use as indicators. We evaluated the contribution of temperate phages to the numbers of somatic coliphages detected in water by ISO (International Standards Organization) standardised methods. Prophage induction from naturally occurring bacteria was assayed with mitomycin C, ciprofloxacin and UV irradiation. Results indicate that the presence of prophages will not influence the determinations of somatic coliphages in water.