PLATE COUNT AGAR

Plate Count Agar is preferred when accurate microbial enumeration is essential. It is widely used for determining the total viable count of microorganisms in food products, drinking water, waste water, raw materials and environmental samples. This medium is APHA and FDA recommended and is especially suited for the pour plate technique, which often gives a higher and more reliable recovery than surface inoculation methods. It is commonly used in cleanrooms and controlled environments to detect microbial contamination.
It provides a balanced nutritional environment which promotes the growth of a wide range of non-fastidious bacteria without imposing unnecessary selectivity. Tryptone contains amino acids, peptides and other nutrients required for cell growth, and yeast extract contains vitamins and growth factors that enhance the growth of the colony. In order to avoid microbes settling in one portion of the medium, the diluted sample is evenly mixed with sterile molten agar before plating so that colonies can be counted after incubation.
In food microbiology, water quality testing, pharmaceutical quality assurance and environmental monitoring, Plate Count Agar offers the reliable performance and consistent results required for routine microbial count.

Suitable for accurate enumeration of viable microorganisms in food, water, wastewater, and environmental monitoring applications.