The colony density is determined easily and simply by comparing it to the pictures in the evaluation charts below.
Preferably, the evaluation should be done with a closed tube in order to prevent surface contact with the microorganisms.
The nutrient media carrier for determining the total plate count uses an agar that enables growth of the most common microorganisms. Most bacteria grow to form red colonies. Colourless colonies may also form, these must also be taken into consideration. It is advisable to read the results both after one and also after two to three days. If the sample contains swarming Proteus species or Bacillus species, it is best to read the results after the first day. Otherwise, bacteria exhibiting slow growth that did not exhibit visible growth on the first day may sometimes occur.
The detection limit of this agar is approx. >100 CFU*/mL.
The nutrient media for the total plate count are thus also suitable for hygiene control of products with high hygienic standards.
It is possible for moulds or yeasts or a mixture of moulds and yeasts to grow on the pink Rose-bengal-agar of the mikrocount® combi dipslides.
To enable complete documentation, the two agar surfaces of the mikrocount® dipslides are labelled with numbers, and the composition of the respective dipslide is noted on the plastic tubes. The determination of the total plate count for the TPC/E and combi displides is done with the mikrocount® TPC evaluation table.