# Protocol for inoculating bottled mineral water with bacteria to receive artificial contaminated water samples

## TL;DR

This paper provides a detailed protocol for contaminating bottled mineral water with bacteria to create artificial samples for study.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in the comprehensive method for inoculating and analyzing bacterial contamination in water samples.

## Key findings

- Steps for preparing bacterial solutions and inoculating water samples are outlined.
- Procedures for filtration, incubation, and colony counting are described.
- Chemical properties affecting bacterial growth are analyzed.

## Abstract

Here, we present a protocol for inoculating drinking water samples with a variety of pathogens or facultative pathogen bacteria. We describe steps for preparing bacterial solutions, inoculating mineral water bottles and other drinking water samples, filtration and incubation of the agar plates, and counting colony-forming unit per mL. We also detail procedures for determining selected chemical properties, such as anions and cations, which can also affect the bacterial growth.

For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Schalli et al.1

•Detailed steps to artificially contaminate bottled mineral water•Steps to analyze the chemical properties of water•Steps for filtration and incubation of agar plates and validation of strains

Detailed steps to artificially contaminate bottled mineral water

Steps to analyze the chemical properties of water

Steps for filtration and incubation of agar plates and validation of strains

Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Here, we present a protocol for inoculating drinking water samples with a variety of pathogens or facultative pathogen bacteria. We describe steps for preparing bacterial solutions, inoculating mineral water bottles and other drinking water samples, filtration and incubation of the agar plates, and counting colony-forming unit per mL. We also detail procedures for determining selected chemical properties, such as anions and cations, which can also affect the bacterial growth.