Open AccessEvaluation of real-time PCR for quantitative detection of Escherichia coli in beach water
Author(s) -
Jason Tszhin Lam,
Edwin Lui,
Simon Chau,
Cathie S.W. Kueh,
Ying-Kit Yung,
Wing Cheong Yam
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of water and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.482
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1996-7829
pISSN - 1477-8920
DOI - 10.2166/wh.2013.038
Subject(s) - real time polymerase chain reaction , escherichia coli , detection limit , environmental science , indicator bacteria , biology , veterinary medicine , environmental chemistry , chemistry , chromatography , water quality , fecal coliform , ecology , gene , medicine , biochemistry
The current investigation evaluated the use of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for quantitative detection of Escherichia coli in marine beach water. Densities of E. coli in 263 beach water samples collected from 13 bathing beaches in Hong Kong between November 2008 and December 2009 were determined using both real-time PCR and culture-based methods. Regression analysis showed that these two methods had a significant positive linear relationship with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.64. Serial dilution of spiked samples indicated that the real-time PCR had a limit of quantification of 25 E. coli colonies in 100 mL water sample. This study showed that the rapid real-time PCR has potential to complement the traditional culture method of assessing fecal pollution in marine beach water.
Accelerating Research
Robert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom
Address
John Eccles HouseRobert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom