Rapid microbiological methods (RMMs) detect microbial presence or activity without traditional culture incubation. Common approaches include:

• Enzymatic / fluorogenic substrates — detect enzyme activity of specific organisms (e.g., ColiMinder)
• Flow cytometry — counts and characterizes individual cells using laser light
• ATP bioluminescence — measures total cellular energy as a proxy for biomass
• qPCR — detects specific DNA sequences; requires sample preparation

Enzymatic methods like the one used in the ColiMinder are unique because they are species-specific, work directly in the sample (no pre-treatment), and deliver results proportional to live organisms. Further, there is no option of a false positive result as only living organisms express enzymes. This approach is the most direct reply to the question “how high is the microbial contamination of my sample?”.