Evaluation of the Functionality of VWR Chromogenic Coliforms Agar and Biokar Compass ECC Agar in Various Food Matrices in Combination with Accepted ISO 4832 and TEMPO TC Methods and Implementation of In-laboratory Validation of TEMPO TC
Abstract
Coliform bacteria are generally shown as indicators of food hygiene and sanitary conditions; although, their presence does not necessarily imply pathogenicity. The ISO 4832:2006 method is a globally accepted standard used in coliform counting but it is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Faster alternatives, such as chromogenic media and automated MPN systems like TEMPO TC, exist; though, comparative studies across different food matrices are still limited. In this study, ISO 4832, TEMPO TC, and two chromogenic agars (VWR Chromogenic Coliforms Agar and Biokar Compass ECC Agar) were compared for coliform enumeration in milk, chicken, and flour artificially inoculated with E.coli NCTC 12923 at high, moderate, and low contamination levels. Counts were obtained in parallel and analyzed by Pearson correlation and regression analysis. Intralaboratory validation of TEMPO TC was performed in pasteurized milk in accordance with ISO 16140-3:2021. Strong correlations were detected between TEMPO TC and ISO 4832 (R² = 0.83-0.85), TEMPO TC and chromogenic agars (R² = 0.82-0.84), and ISO 4832 and chromogenic agars (R² = 0.85-0.89). Validation of TEMPO TC confirmed reproducibility (SIR = 0.203), satisfying ISO 16140-3 criteria. Our findings demonstrate that chromogenic agars and TEMPO TC can serve as reliable alternative methods to ISO 4832 and TEMPO TC provides additional advantages such as faster processing, automation, and reproducibility.
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References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Bacteriology
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
February 28, 2026
Submission Date
November 19, 2025
Acceptance Date
February 23, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 1
