Bifidobacterium spp. are anaerobic, Gram-positive,
nonmotile bacteria that are a major component of intestinal
microbiota. They are potential indicators of human fecal
pollution in shellfish harvesting waters. In addition,
Bifidobacterium spp. are used as supplements in dairy
products. These bacteria are easily injured and it is
important to have methods that will recover all cells
(injured and uninjured) present in water and food samples.
The objectives of this research were to develop a repair
detection (RD) procedure to be used with VPI's anaerobic
roll tube apparatus for improving the recovery of
Bifidobacterium and to compare this method with existing
enumeration methods.
Bifidobacterium adolescentis cells were injured by
exposure to pond water. Cells were enumerated using a
modification of Human Bifid Sorbitol Agar (MHBSA). MHBSA was
modified by substituting phenyl red for bromocresol purple
and adding methylene blue as an indicator of oxidation/reduction.
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