2.4. Microbial studies
Fresh-cut cilantros from each packet were evaluated to
determine microbial load as per the standard plate count
method. Total plate count agar and potato dextrose agar
(HiMedia Laboratories, India) were used to determine
mesophilic aerobics and yeast and molds count, respective-
ly. A 10 g sample was diluted with 90 mL of sterile NaCl
solution. Solution was homogenized with sterilized kitchen
blender homonizer for 10 min and was then further diluted
to get serial dilutions. Serially diluted samples were plated
onto total plate count agar, potato dextrose agar. 1 mL of
each dilution was transferred to sterile petri plate and
15–20 mL of sterile agar media at temperature 40–45 8C was
poured, mixed well and allowed to set. Plates were incubated
at 37 8C 0.5 8C for 48 h. At the end of the incubation period
the colony forming unit (cfu) were counted and multiplied
by appropriate dilution factor to obtain total plate count
and yeast and molds count. All the experiments were
performed in triplicates.