RESUMO
Readycult (tm) - LMX is a rapid method to test for the presence of total coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli in water, giving results in 24h. It is based on reactions of specific microbial enzymes or indicator nutrients of the medium. The goal of this paper was to study the use of Readycult (tm) - LMX to detect total coliform and E. coli in milk. One hundred twenty five samples of pasteurized and raw milk, collected in Londrina, PR, Brazil, were tested simultaneously by the most probable number (MPN) method using Brilliant Green Bile Lactose Broth (2 per cente) (BRILA) and Readycult (tm) - LMX. The Readycult (tm) - LMX test was evaluated for sensitivity, simplicity, and speed of results. There was a significant correlation between the results obtained by the two methods for total coliforms (r: 0.8224) and for E. coli (r: 0.8603). The two methods yielded similar results, but Readycult (tm) - LMX was easier to use. In addition, results were available as early as 24h.