Isolation and biochemical identification of Escherichia coli from wastewater effluents of food and beverage industry

The aim of this study was the isolation and biochemical identification of E. coli from industrial wastewater effluents. Sixty samples were collected from different sources in Lahore. The results revealed that E.coli was found in higher concentration in wastewater of food and beverage industries. Wastewater is an important reservoir for E.coli and presented significant acute toxicity if released into the receiving water body without being adequately treated. Results revealed the presence of both gram negative and positive bacteria. There was nonsignificant variation among all the samples of wastewater. The highest concentration of E.coli was observed in wastewater of food industry Site A (Rettigon road) and beverage industry Site F (Wahdat road). Biochemical and serological tests confirmed the presence of E.coli.