Acid phosphatase test proves superior to standard phenotypic identification procedure for Clostridium perfringens strains isolated from water

► The identification of Clostridium perfringens by routine phenotypic standard tests is very time consuming. ► We investigated acid phosphatase test as a possible and much more rapid alternative method. ► Evaluation was performed on type strains and genotypically identified isolates of water and faeces. ► The new confirmation method proved to be sensitive, reliable and feasible. ► It will help to enhance the quality of C. perfringens identification in water quality monitoring.