CFU of C. perfringens were not enumerated. Rather, this organism was monitored by presence or absence. SFP agar (Difco, Detroit, Michigan, USA) was sterilized then Bacto-egg yolk additive (Difco, Detroit, Michigan, USA), polymyxin B sulphate (Difco, Detroit, Michigan, USA) and kanamycin sulphate (Difco, Detroit,Michigan, USA) were mixed into the agar and the entire mixture was poured into screw cap test tubes. The agar was warmed to liquefy, prior to inoculation. Approximately 1 mL of agar was removed and replaced with 1 mL of well water and thoroughly mixed. No air space was left in the test tubes to create an anaerobic environment. Samples were incubated at 37 °C. The presence of the organism was indicated if black colonies were present. Tubes were checked for positive reaction after 24 hours and again after 1 week.
Samples that were positive after 24 hours were removed from further incubation and sterilized. Those that did not have any black colonies present after one week were considered to not contain C. perfringens. Two replicates of each test were performed.