The samples (duplicates of 25 g) and 225 ml of normal saline
(0.9% NaCl) were weighed aseptically into sterile plastic pouches
and homogenized (Ultra Turrax homogenizer, IKA Labortechnik,
Selangor, Malaysia) at 25 C for 120 s. Serial 10-fold dilutions were
prepared in sterile normal saline (0.9% NaCl),