Impedance method for rapid detection of total counts of bacteria and fungi in bottled purified water.

A study was conducted to compare the current conventional method and the impedance method for rapid detection of total counts of bacteria and fungi in bottled purified water. The results indicated that the corresponding detection rate for the 2 methods was 94.5 and 90.4%, respectively. The detection time was shortened from 48 h (bacteria) and 5 days (fungi) to 14.5 and 44 h, respectively. Moreover, for more serious contamination, less time was needed. The impedance method predicted a positive sample within 11.3 h (bacteria) and 27.1 h (fungi). Therefore, the impedance method was found to be a rapid, accurate method.