FSTest E. coli & Thermostable Coliform Count Plate

Rapid Ready-to-Use Enumeration for Water & Food Microbiology

Product Overview

The FSTEST® E. coli & Thermostable Coliform Count Plate is a ready-to-use chromogenic culture system designed for the rapid detection and enumeration of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and thermotolerant (fecal) coliforms in water and food samples.

Compared with traditional agar preparation methods, this disposable count plate eliminates media preparation and sterilization steps, significantly improving laboratory efficiency while delivering accurate and easy-to-interpret results within 15–24 hours.

It is an ideal solution for identifying potential fecal contamination and supporting routine microbiological quality control.

Detection Principle

The plate combines enzyme-substrate chromogenic technology to enable simultaneous differentiation of target microorganisms in a single test.

Thermostable Coliform Detection

Thermotolerant coliform bacteria grow and ferment lactose at 44–45°C. The medium contains SalmonGal chromogenic substrate, which reacts with β-galactosidase and produces purple-red to blue colonies.

E. coli Detection

The plate incorporates X-GLUC substrate, which specifically reacts with β-glucuronidase produced by E. coli, generating distinct blue colonies.

Result Interpretation

After incubation at 44.5 ± 0.5°C:

• Blue colonies = E. coli
• Blue + Purple-Red colonies = Total Thermostable Coliforms

Key Features & Benefits

Ready-to-Use Format

No agar preparation, sterilization, or plate pouring required.

Rapid Turnaround

Obtain reliable microbial counts within 15–24 hours.

Clear Visual Identification

High-contrast chromogenic reaction and integrated counting grid improve reading accuracy.

Space-Saving Design

Stackable incubation design (≤12 plates per stack) maximizes incubator utilization.

Stable Storage & Transport

Supports room-temperature transport for up to 15 days while maintaining performance.

Applications

Water Quality Testing

Rapid monitoring of E. coli and fecal coliform contamination in:

• Drinking water
• Purified water
• Mineral water
• Process water

Food & Beverage Industry

Routine microbiological screening for:

• Raw materials
• Finished food products
• Production environment monitoring

Regulatory & Quality Control Laboratories

Suitable for:

• Routine microbiological enumeration
• HACCP verification
• Compliance testing
• Environmental monitoring

Testing Procedure

Step 1 – Sample Preparation

Prepare the sample using standard microbiological procedures. Perform serial dilution if required. Adjust sample pH to 7.0–8.0 when necessary.

Step 2 – Sample Inoculation

Open the top film and inoculate 1 mL of sample evenly onto the plate surface. Cover the film and allow the sample to absorb for approximately 5 minutes. Duplicate testing and a blank control are recommended.

Step 3 – Incubation

Stack plates (max. 12 plates per stack) and incubate at 44.5 ± 0.5°C for 15–24 hours with the film side facing upward.

Step 4 – Result Interpretation

Count visible colonies after incubation:

• Blue colonies = Escherichia coli (E. coli)
• Blue + Purple-Red colonies = Total Thermostable Coliforms

If colonies are overgrown or merged, report as TNTC (Too Numerous To Count).

Storage Conditions

Unopened Product

• Transport/storage at room temperature ≤15 days
• Long-term storage: 4–10°C
• Shelf life: 18 months

After Opening

• Return remaining plates to aluminum pouch
• Seal tightly and store at 4–10°C
• Use within 1 month

Why Choose FSTEST®

• Faster than conventional agar methods
• Minimal training required
• Reliable chromogenic differentiation
• Reduced labor and consumable costs
• Suitable for routine high-throughput testing