device and method for the detection of coliform bacteria in water samples

摘要

Described herein is a thermostatted device, as well as the corresponding method, for detecting biological contaminants, in particular coliform bacteria in a water sample, which are designed for making measurements of luminescence at different wavelengths, by resorting to a flow cell equipped with a plurality of measurement chambers, hydraulically connected but not in optical communication with one another, into which the water sample is conveyed without the use of cuvettes, there being provided in each of said chambers means for exciting the sample present and detecting the luminescence of the bacterium, an inlet for injection of the fluorophore, and microvalves and capillary vessels for supplying to the individual measurement chambers said fluorophore in the amount necessary for making the measurement.