Testing Microbiology Samples

We follow these rules specifically. The process is very easy, but make sure you follow the rules and you'll be performing from memory before you know it!!!

Hands must be washed before putting on gloves.

Surfaces must be wiped down with sodium hypochlorite (bleach water) before and after testing.

Label tray with site number, collection time/date, processing time/date, processor's initials.

Retrieve sample and Colilert from refrigerator.

Aseptically (just means free of pathogenic microorganisms) add one packet of reagent to the sample.

Re-cap bottle and shake until reagent is mostly dissolved. (If sample "flashes blue" it contains excessive chlorine and is invalid for analysis)

Pour into Quanti-Tray.

Place tray in rubber insert for Quanti-Tray sealer machine. The sealer works like a laminator and seals the backing onto the tray.

Feed tray into Quanti-Tray sealer.

Place tray into incubator and incubate at 35.0 degrees Celsius for 24 hours.

After incubation, the tray is removed from incubator and results are read.

Charts used for reading results

Tray is placed under UV light and fluorescence. Tray wells that fluoresce are positive for E. coli, and this number is proportional to the number of E. coli present in the sample. Compare counted number to the designated chart and record results in the MICROBIOLOGY LAB NOTEBOOK.

The wells that turn yellow while in incubation proved total coliform bacteria are present. Observe number of yellow samples within the wells and compare to the designated chart and record results in the MICROBIOLOGY LAB NOTEBOOK.

Turn off IDEX machine and UV light. All areas must be wiped down with sodium hypochlorite when testing is complete. Samples should be thrown away in the RED BIOHAZARD bag upon recording in the lab notebook.

**ALL RESULTS ARE REPORTED AS MPN/100ml**

MPN (Most Probable Number)

Templates in the lab notebook make it VERY easy to record results!

Processing Chemical Analysis Samples

Don't let the words "processing chemical analysis" overwhelm you! It is so easy once you do it a couple of times! You'll be working from memory before you know it! We will be collecting from FOUR different sites for SUMMER SEMESTER 2021 . You can find the addresses and some photos of the sites under the "SITES" tab. We are currently running SIX chemical tests on the samples. For SUMMER 2021 , we will be testing for the following: Sulfate HR (High Range) Ammonia Nitrogen HR Nitrate-Nitrogen LR (Low Range) Chlorine (FREE/TOTAL/COMBINED) pH Phosphates Each test has it's own set of very to follow instructions. You can find these instructions in the binder in the lab. They are also listed here on the website for your convenience. Check under CHEMICAL ANALYSIS INSTRUCTIONS in the drop down menu on our site to find them digitally! EXAMPLE #1 ~ SULFATE Turn on calorimeter ENTER into testing menu (it should already be highlighted) Use arrow keys to toggle (an...

Project Description

This project will serve the purpose of the collaboration between Georgia Highlands College (GHC) and Lake Allatoona Association (LAA) to provide research and analysis needed to successfully build an ongoing lake water quality sampling and reporting system. Quantify Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Fecal Coliform bacteria to assess the water qualities of Lake Allatoona. Quantify various chemical levels in samples collected from Lake Allatoona. Water samples will be collected from FOUR different locations for lab analysis for summer semester 2021. Following EPA approved guidelines for quantification of total Fecal Coliform bacteria per 100 ml of water, our testing will continue for the duration of the eight week summer semester. The success of this project will be determined by diligent reporting of the data. This data can come through the consistent collection and analysis of water samples from the continuous collaborati...

Collecting Microbiology Samples

Sample Collection/Field Kit E. coli are naturally present in our guts, therefore, we have to avoid any contamination of the samples. Put on gloves (make sure the glove bag stays closed as much as possible to avoid contaminants). Wipe gloved hands with alcohol. Collect water from 1" below the surface in large bottle and pour into small bottle (SHAKE VIGOROUSLY) Label bottles with a sharpie (Please make sure the labels are readable for the data pe rson) . Once collected, samples are put on ice until the are ready to be processed at the lab. The ice ensures that any bacteria in the sample doesn't grow in the meantime. **Samples are processed within SIX hours of collection** Rinse large collecting bottle with deionized water for the next site collection (Prevent cross-contamination). Place all dirty gloves and trash in provided paper bag. Keeping the samples cold with icepacks and processing in a timely manner ensures that bacteria don't have time to gr...