식품에서 대장균군을 효율적으로 분리하기 위해 대장균군 선택배지 5종: Chromocult Chromocult coliform agar (Merck), Hicrome coliform agar (Sigma), CHROMagar ECC, Brilliance E.coli/coliform medium (OXOID), endo agar (Merck)을 선별하여 식품 분리 대장균군 83종 및 표준균주 21종에 대해서 민감도와 특이도를 분석한 결과 Chromocult coliform agar와 HICrome coliform agar에서 94%도 민감도가 가장 높았으며, Brilliance E.coli/coliform medium는 93%, CHROMagar ECC는 92%, ENDO agar는 74%의 민감도를 나타냈다. Chromocult coliform agar와 HICrome coliform agar는 대장균군의 회수율도 높았다. 그러므로 Chromocult coliform agar와 HICrome coliform agar는 대장균군을 분리하는데 가장 효율적인 배지로 생각된다.
In this study, the performance of five selective media for coliform bacteria was evaluated. In total, 83 coliform isolates from ready-to-eat food and 21 reference strains were inoculated in five agar media : Chromocult coliform agar (Merck Millipore), HiCrome coliform agar (Sigma), CHROMagar ECC chromogenic media, Brilliance E. coli/coliform selective agar (OXOID), and endo agar (Merck Millipore). Coliform isolates and reference strains were inoculated on the selective media to test media sensitivity and specificity. The tested media showed the following sensitivities for the isolated strains: Chromocult coliforms agar and HiCrome coliform agar, 94%; Brilliance E. coli/ coliform selective agar, 93%; CHROMagar ECC chromogenic media, 92%; and endo agar, 74%. In addition, all media showed 100% specificity, except for endo agar (71%). Moreover Chromocult coliform agar and HICrome coliform agar showed high levels recovery. Taken together, these results identified Chromocult coliform agar and HICrome coliform agar as an effective selective medium for coliforms with higher sensitivity and specificity compared to other media tested in this study.