What is the Difference Between Coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae?

Coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae are both groups of bacteria used as indicator organisms in microbiology, but they have some differences. Here are the main distinctions between the two:

1. Relationship: All coliforms belong to the Enterobacteriaceae family, but not all Enterobacteriaceae are coliforms.
2. Characteristics: Coliforms are gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria that ferment lactose. Enterobacteriaceae, on the other hand, are a large family of gram-negative bacteria that includes various pathogens, such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Yersinia pestis, Klebsiella, and Shigella.
3. Substrate Fermentation: Coliforms are lactose fermenting, while Enterobacteriaceae are mainly glucose fermenting.
4. Indicator Organisms: Both coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae are used as indicator organisms to assess the sanitary quality of foods and water. However, the European Union has adopted Enterobacteriaceae as its indicator organism of choice for milk and milk products.

In summary, coliforms are a specific group of bacteria within the larger Enterobacteriaceae family, and they are both used as indicator organisms to evaluate the safety and quality of food and water. While all coliforms belong to the Enterobacteriaceae family, not all Enterobacteriaceae are coliforms, and they differ in their substrate fermentation preferences.

Comparative Table: Coliforms vs Enterobacteriaceae

The following table summarizes the differences between coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae:

While there are similarities between coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae, such as their use as indicator organisms and their Gram-negative nature, they also have differences in their fermentation capabilities and the specific families they belong to.