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Aerobic Plate Count
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Quick understanding about test
Aerobic Plate Count - Measurement of Mesophilic Aerobic Bacteria in a given sample
The Aerobic Plate Count (APC) test estimates the number of viable mesophilic aerobic bacteria in a given sample using the plate count method.
The test applies to various sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and cosmetics.
- Mesophilic aerobic bacteria are the target strains tested.
- The test involves preparing and homogenizing the sample, serially diluting it, and plating it on an agar medium. The plates are incubated, after which bacterial colonies are counted to measure the viable aerobic bacteria in the sample.
- Detects and quantifies bacterial contamination.
- Builds trust through verified safety claims.
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Abstract
The aerobic plate count is a microbiological technique used to assess the number of viable microorganisms in a given test sample. It is also known as standard plate count, aerobic mesophilic count, total plate count, or aerobic colony count. The test is based on the assumption that each cell will form a colony in an agar medium containing all the required nutrients.
Aerobic Plate Count Test Method
- Test samples are prepared based on the type of food products (frozen, chilled, pre-cooked, or prepared foods) or cosmetics products (Liquids, Solids and powders, cream and oil-based products, Aerosol of powders, soap, liquids, and other materials, Anhydrous materials).
- A homogenized solution containing the test sample is serially diluted 10 times (10-1 to 10-10).
- 0.1 ml of each dilution is transferred and plated on different Petri dishes containing agar growth medium.
- Plates are incubated at 35°C ± 1°C for 48 ± 2 hours.
- After incubation, the plates are examined for the presence of aerobic bacteria.
Importance of Aerobic Plate Count (APC) Test
Quality control in the food industry
- Safety assessment: The APC test ensures food safety by detecting microbial contamination levels.
- Spoilage prevention: It helps extend the shelf life of products by identifying potential microorganisms.
- Regulatory compliance: Testing ensures that products meet the requirements set by regulatory authorities
Pharmaceutical industry
- Product sterility: Ensures the sterility of pharmaceutical products which are intravenously administered.
- Manufacturing hygiene: Monitors the cleanliness of manufacturing environments and processes.
Clinical and healthcare settings
- Infection control: Helps monitor hospital-acquired infections by assessing the microbial load on surfaces and equipment.
- Sanitation monitoring: Ensures the effectiveness of sterilization protocols in healthcare facilities.
Cosmetics and personal care products
- Product safety: Ensures the microbiological safety of cosmetics and personal care products.
Pros of Aerobic Plate Count (APC) Test
1.Simple and cost-effective
2. Quantitative data
3. Broad application
4. Hygiene assessment
5. Regulatory compliance
At Microbe Investigations Switzerland (MIS), we offer a range of antibacterial and antiviral test methods that validate the antimicrobial efficacy of many products. For any query regarding the Aerobic Plate Count test, contact our expert to get an expert consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
DR. Martinoz Scholtz
Aerobic Plate Count (APC), also known as Total Plate Count (TPC) or Standard Plate Count (SPC), is a microbiological test that estimates the number of viable aerobic bacteria in a sample.
Aerobic Plate Count test is used for the microbiology analysis of food and cosmetics products. It also applies to indicate the bacterial populations in beverages and water samples.
The Aerobic Plate Count test takes one week to complete.
Aerobic plate count is important in food industries as it is frequently used to determine microbial contaminations in food samples, thus aiding in the identification of potential spoilage and contamination.
Aerobic incubation refers to the process of incubating a sample in the presence of oxygen. It is used in microbiological testing to culture and count aerobic bacteria.
Microbial count refers to the enumeration of microorganisms in a sample. This can include bacteria, fungi, and other microbes.
Aerobic Plate Count indicates the level of contamination by aerobic bacteria in a sample. High APC values suggest higher levels of microbial activity.
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