M-FC Basal Medium is recommended for enumeration of faecal coliform by membrane filtration technique with the addition of fluorogenic and chromogenic supplement. The chromogenic substrate, 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-glucuronide (BCIG) in the medium is cleaved by the presence of enzyme ß- glucuronidase in Escherichia coli thereby producing blue coloured colonies. The MUG Supplement in the medium is cleaved by the enzyme ß-glucuronidase of Escherichia coli to release 4- methylumbelliferone which produces visible blue–green fluorescence under long UV light. This medium can be used by addition of either of the two supplements or in combination for the confirmation of Escherichia coli.
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