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Published on: September 14, 2013
A modified m-CP medium for enumerating Clostridium perfringens from water samples
1Centre de recherche en virologie, Institut Armand-Frappier, Ville de Laval, Qué, Canada.
Abstract:
Medium m-CP, designed for the isolation of Clostridium perfringens from water samples, contains indoxyl beta-D-glucoside, an expensive chemical that is present at a high concentration in this medium. The use of m-CP with three concentrations of indoxyl beta-D-glucoside was tested at 0, 60, and 600 mg/L. Lowering the amount of indoxyl beta-D-glucoside to 60 mg/L (1/10 the recommended concentration) reduced the cost of this medium without affecting its sensitivity.
Insights
Reducing indoxyl beta-D-glucoside in m-CP medium for Clostridium perfringens isolation to 60 mg/L significantly cuts costs. This lower concentration maintains the medium's sensitivity for detecting the bacteria in water samples.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Water Quality Analysis
- Culture Media Development
Background:
- Clostridium perfringens is a significant waterborne pathogen.
- The m-CP medium is a specialized culture medium for isolating Clostridium perfringens.
- Indoxyl beta-D-glucoside is a key, but costly, component of m-CP medium.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of reduced indoxyl beta-D-glucoside concentration on m-CP medium performance.
- To determine if cost savings can be achieved without compromising Clostridium perfringens detection.
- To optimize the formulation of m-CP medium for water sample analysis.
Main Methods:
- Testing m-CP medium with varying concentrations of indoxyl beta-D-glucoside (0, 60, and 600 mg/L).
- Assessing the sensitivity of the medium for Clostridium perfringens isolation from water samples.
- Comparing the cost-effectiveness of different medium formulations.
Main Results:
- A reduced concentration of 60 mg/L indoxyl beta-D-glucoside (1/10th of the original) did not affect the sensitivity of m-CP medium.
- The lower concentration of indoxyl beta-D-glucoside significantly reduced the overall cost of the medium.
- The medium remained effective for isolating Clostridium perfringens.
Conclusions:
- The cost of m-CP medium can be substantially reduced by lowering the indoxyl beta-D-glucoside concentration.
- Optimized m-CP medium formulation maintains diagnostic sensitivity for Clostridium perfringens.
- This cost-effective approach enhances the practicality of Clostridium perfringens surveillance in water quality testing.

