What is the Difference Between Coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚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:
- Relationship: All coliforms belong to the Enterobacteriaceae family, but not all Enterobacteriaceae are coliforms.
- 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.
- Substrate Fermentation: Coliforms are lactose fermenting, while Enterobacteriaceae are mainly glucose fermenting.
- 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:
Feature | Coliforms | Enterobacteriaceae |
---|---|---|
Group | A group of rod-shaped and lactose-fermenting bacteria | A large family of Gram-negative bacteria |
Fermentation | Lactose fermenting | Mainly glucose fermenting |
Indicator Organisms | Used to indicate the sanitary quality of foods and water | Used to indicate the sanitary quality of foods and water |
Gram-negative Bacteria | Coliforms are Gram-negative | Enterobacteriaceae are Gram-negative |
Facultative Anaerobes | Coliforms are facultative anaerobes | Enterobacteriaceae are facultative anaerobes |
Pathogenicity | Some Coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae can cause diseases | Some Coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae can cause diseases |
Environment | Both groups live in soil, water, and the intestines of humans and animals | Both groups live in soil, water, and the intestines of humans and animals |
Glucose Fermentation | Coliforms can ferment sugars | Some Enterobacteriaceae can ferment sugars |
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.
- Coliform vs Fecal Coliform
- Escherichia coli vs Entamoeba coli
- Pseudomonas Aeruginosa vs Enterobacteriaceae
- Enterococcus vs Streptococcus
- E. Coli vs Klebsiella
- E Coli vs Salmonella
- E Coli vs Serratia Marcescens
- Enterococcus faecalis vs Enterococcus faecium
- E. histolytica vs E. coli
- E. Coli vs Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
- ETEC vs EHEC
- Lactose Fermenting vs Non-lactose Fermenting Bacteria
- Lactobacillus vs Bifidobacterium
- Campylobacter vs Helicobacter
- Endotoxin vs Enterotoxin
- Homofermentative vs Heterofermentative Bacteria
- Bacterial vs Fungal Colonies
- Germs vs Bacteria
- Eubacteria vs Archaebacteria