Enumeration of beta-glucuronidase-positive Escherichia coli in foods by using the ISO-GRID method with SD-39 agar

A study was undertaken to compare beta-glucuronidase-positive Escherichia coli counts produced by the ISO-GRID hydrophobic grid membrane filter method using SD-39 agar (test method) with those produced by AOAC Official Method 990.11, an existing ISO-GRID method using lactose monensin glucuronate agar and buffered MUG agar (reference method). The methods were evaluated using 21 food products, with three independent lots of five replicate samples analyzed per product by both methods. The test and reference methods were statistically equivalent for 19 of the 21 products; frozen, raw ground lamb produced significantly higher counts using the reference method, whereas counts obtained from cottage cheese were significantly higher using the SD-39 agar-based method.