Effect of Phosphorus on survival of Escherichia coli in drinking water biofilms

Applied and Environmental Microbiology 2007
Tālis Juhna, Jānis Rubulis, Dagne Birzniece

The effect of phosphorus addition on survival of Escherichia coli in an experimental drinking water distribution system was investigated. Higher phosphorus concentrations prolonged the survival of culturable E. coli in water and biofilms. Although phosphorus addition did not affect viable but not culturable (VBNC) E. coli in biofilms, these structures could act as a reservoir of VBNC forms of E. coli in drinking water distribution systems.

Keywords
phosphorus, Escherichia coli, drinking water distribution system, viable but not culturable
DOI
10.1128/AEM.00313-07

Juhna, T., Rubulis, J., Birzniece, D. Effect of Phosphorus on survival of Escherichia coli in drinking water biofilms. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2007, Vol.73, Iss.1, pp.3755-3758. ISSN 0099-2240. Available from: doi:10.1128/AEM.00313-07

Publication language
English (en)