Research Article

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

Volume: 10 Number: 1 February 28, 2026
TR EN

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.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Dicle University, DÜBTAM Science and Technology Application and Research Center

Ethical Statement

Ethics committee approval is not required for this study.

Thanks

The author is thankful to the DÜBTAM Science and Technology Application and Research Center, Dicle University, for providing laboratory facilities, technical assistance and supplies, and support throughout the course of the study.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Bacteriology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

February 28, 2026

Submission Date

November 19, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 1

APA
Özer, H. K. (2026). 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. Commagene Journal of Biology, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.31594/commagene.1821498
AMA
1.Özer HK. 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. Comm. J. Biol. 2026;10(1). doi:10.31594/commagene.1821498
Chicago
Özer, Hatice Kübra. 2026. “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”. Commagene Journal of Biology 10 (1). https://doi.org/10.31594/commagene.1821498.
EndNote
Özer HK (February 1, 2026) 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. Commagene Journal of Biology 10 1
IEEE
[1]H. K. Özer, “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”, Comm. J. Biol., vol. 10, no. 1, Feb. 2026, doi: 10.31594/commagene.1821498.
ISNAD
Özer, Hatice Kübra. “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”. Commagene Journal of Biology 10/1 (February 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.31594/commagene.1821498.
JAMA
1.Özer HK. 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. Comm. J. Biol. 2026;10. doi:10.31594/commagene.1821498.
MLA
Özer, Hatice Kübra. “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”. Commagene Journal of Biology, vol. 10, no. 1, Feb. 2026, doi:10.31594/commagene.1821498.
Vancouver
1.Hatice Kübra Özer. 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. Comm. J. Biol. 2026 Feb. 1;10(1). doi:10.31594/commagene.1821498