PLATE COUNT AGAR
TRYPTONE GLUCOSE YEAST AGAR
Code: CM0325
A medium for the enumeration of viable organisms in food, animal feed and water samples
Typical Formula* |
gm/litre |
Tryptone |
5.0 |
Yeast extract |
2.5 |
Glucose |
1.0 |
Agar |
9.0 |
pH 7.0 ± 0.2 @ 25°C |
Directions
Add 17.5g to 1 litre of distilled water. Dissolve by bringing to the boil with frequent stirring, mix and distribute into final containers. Sterilise by autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes.
Description
Plate Count Agar is equivalent to the medium recommended by the APHA1, PHLS 2 and ISO3,4 for the plate count of micro-organisms in food.
The APHA method consists of the preparation of pour plates using diluted samples, and counting colonies after incubation. Incubation is for 48 hours at 32°C or at 35°C for the Standard Plate Count. For the enumeration of micro-organisms with other temperature requirements, plates may also be incubated for 7-10 days at 5-7°C: for 3-5 days at 20°C; for 2-3 days at 45°C; or for 48 hours at 55°C. See the APHA1 publication for details.
Samples should be tested following the method described in the appropriate standard.
The quality control of Plate Count Agar includes testing in accordance with ISO 11133:20145.
Storage conditions and Shelf life
Store the dehydrated medium at 10-30°C and use before the expiry date on the label.
Store the prepared plates at 2-8°C.
Appearance
Dehydrated medium: Straw coloured, free-flowing powder
Prepared medium: Straw coloured gel
Quality control
Positive controls: |
Expected results |
Escherichia coli ATCC® 25922 * WDCM00013 |
Good growth; straw coloured colonies |
Bacillus subtilis ATCC® 6633* WDCM00003 |
Good growth; straw coloured colonies |
Staphylococcus aureus ATCC® 25923* WDCM00034 |
Good growth; straw coloured colonies |
Negative control: | |
Uninoculated medium | No change |
Quality Control
Compare with previous lot/batch using pasteurised and raw milk samples, incubated at 32-35°C for 48 hours.
Precautions
Ensure that the procedures and media used in milk product testing comply with the National Regulations required for each country.
Reference
1. American Public Health Association (1978) Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products. 14th Edn. APHA Inc. Washington DC.
2. PHLS Standard methods for the Microbial Examination of Food and Dairy Samples (1999) Aerobic plate count at 30°C - F10 & F11
3. International Organization for Standardization. ISO 4833 Parts 1 and 2, Microbiology of the food chain - Horizontal method for the enumeration of microorganisms
4. International Organization for Standardization. Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs -- Horizontal method for the enumeration of psychrotrophic microorganisms.
5. International Organization for Standardization. ISO 11133:2014 Microbiology of food, animal feed and water - Preparation, production, storage and performance testing of culture media