How Do You Spell COLIFORM BACILLI?

1. Coliform bacilli are a group of bacteria that belong to the family Enterobacteriaceae and are commonly found in the intestines of humans and warm-blooded animals. They are facultatively anaerobic, meaning they can survive in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. Coliform bacilli are Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that possess flagella for mobility.

   These bacteria are considered indicator organisms, which means their presence in water or food can indicate the potential presence of fecal contamination. Coliform bacilli include several species such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Citrobacter. Among these, Escherichia coli is the most well-known and is often used as the primary indicator to assess water or food safety.

   High levels of coliform bacilli in water or food samples can suggest a higher risk of pathogens, including harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which may cause gastrointestinal diseases in humans. Thus, monitoring and measuring coliform bacteria, specifically E. coli, is vital in assessing the quality of water resources and the overall safety of drinking water and food products.

   Testing for coliform bacilli is typically carried out using specialized culture media, such as MacConkey agar or eosin-methylene blue agar, which provide suitable conditions for their growth and facilitate their identification through characteristic colony appearance and biochemical reactions. The presence or absence of coliform bacilli in these culture tests can help determine water quality and food safety.

Common Misspellings for COLIFORM BACILLI

The word "coliform bacilli" is derived from two different sources.

1. Coliform: The term "coliform" comes from the Latin word "colere", which means "to cultivate" or "to nurture". In the context of microbiology, it refers to bacteria that can ferment lactose to produce acid and gas in a process called coliform fermentation. This ability is commonly used as an indicator of potential fecal contamination, as coliform bacteria, including those belonging to the group Enterobacteriaceae, are commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals.

2. Bacilli: Bacilli is the plural form of the word "bacillus", which is derived from the Latin term "bacillum", meaning "a small staff" or "a rod". Bacillus itself refers to a taxonomic group of bacteria characterized by their rod-shaped morphology.