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Abstract

The invention relates to a method of rapidly quantifying living coliform microorganisms in a sample of water in which the microorganisms are put into contact with a fluorogenic substrate that is hydrolyzed in methylumbelliferone by an enzyme given off by the microorganisms. Methylumbelliferone is detected by the fluorescence that it emits, with the rate at which this fluorescence varies being measured in order to determine the concentration of coliform microorganisms in the original sample on the basis of the calculated rate of variation and a correlation plot. In characteristic manner, a preliminary treatment step is performed on the sample, in particular pre-filtering, serving to remove at least some of the particles in suspension in the water, thus making it possible to achieve quantification that is entirely comparable with the quantification given by the standardized multi-well panel method. The invention is applicable to analyzing bathing water for detecting Escherichia coli.

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First Claim