[Enterobacteria in mineral, spring and table water]

Whereas coliform bacteria rank first, non-coliform enterobacteria can be isolated second in frequency from bottled mineral, spring and table waters in South Bavaria. Escherichia coli were found in 8, coliforms in 44 and non-coliform enterobacteria in 41 of 54 manufactories with hygienic problems. 11 different bacterial species were determined from coliforms with Enterobacter cloacae occurring most numerous in 19, Citrobacter freundii in 12 and Enterobacter amnigenus in 7 manufactories. From non-coliform enterobacteria 18 different species could be determined. Again Enterobacter cloacae was found most frequently in 17 manufactories followed by Enterobacter amnigenus in 11 and Serratia liquefaciens in 7 manufactories. The investigation of total Enterobacteriaceae is suggested as a suitable quality criterion for bottled mineral, spring and table waters.