Figure 6

Comparison of CFU obtained through different protocols as described in the text. (a) Comparison the CFU obtained using protocol ‘A’ and ‘B’. (b) Comparison the CFU obtained using protocol ‘A’ and ‘C’. (c) Comparison the CFU obtained using protocol ‘A’ and ‘D’. Protocol A: CFU was obtained using MBRT and the standard curve relating slope of MB reduction and CFU of mixed culture. Protocol B: Individual CFU of E. coli and B. subtilis were obtained using the slope of MB reduction of mixed culture and these CFU’s were added to obtain total CFU count. Protocol C: CFU’s of E. coli and B. subtilis were used to obtain the MBRT slopes from pure cultures and the slopes were added to obtain the net MBRT slope for a mixed culture. Protocol D: Measurement of the slope of MB reduction in a mixed culture and used the slope directly in the standard curve of the pure cultures to obtain the CFU’s of E. coli and B. subtilis, which was then added to yield the total CFU.