Easy Dry^TM are absorbent pads saturated with a sterile, dehydrated culture medium. Each pad is pre-plated in a Petri dish and is immediately ready to use after pouring sterile distilled or deionized water on it. Easy DryTM are optimal for the examination of large sample volumes by the membrane filter method.

Easy Dry^TM m-Endo LES is a selective medium used for the detection and enumeration of coliforms in water samples and drinking water in accordance with the recommendations of the APHA.

PREPARATION

1.   Cut open a bag and remove the number of Easy Dry plates needed.

2.   Moisten the pad contained in the Petri dish with 2.2 ml of sterile distilled or deionized water.

3.   Wait 5 minutes before using.

TEST PROCEDURE

Filter the sample through a filter membrane (0.45 µm pore diameter). Transfer the membrane onto a plate containing a just rehydrated pad (standard one-step membrane filter technique). Incubate aerobically at 35 ± 0.5°C for 18-24 hours.

Alternatively, use the two-step enrichment method: a membrane through which a water sample has been filtered, is placed on an absorbent pad saturated with Lauryl Sulphate Tryptose Broth (ref. 21453) and incubated at 35 ± 0.5°C for 2 h. The filter is then transferred onto m-Endo Agar LES and incubated for another 21 ± 1 h at 35 ± 0.5°C.

INTERPRETING RESULTS

Typical colonies of coliform microorganisms show a pink to dark-red color with a metallic green sheen. Count all such colonies and report the result as total coliform per volume of water sampled allowing for the dilution factor.

APPEARANCE OF THE MEDIUM

Pinkish pad. Fuchsia once rehydrated.

STORAGE

Store at 10-25°C away from light. Do not use the product beyond its expiry date on the label or if product shows any evidence of contamination or any sign of deterioration.

SHELF LIFE

2 years.