THE USE OF THE 0.01 ML LOOP IN THE PLATE LOOP METHOD FOR MAKING VIABLE COUNTS OF MILK1

Abstract

A-plate loop count method for determining viable counts of pasteurized milk products is described. The technique uses a 0.01 ml calibrated platinum alloy loop attached to a continuous pipetting syringe for rinsing the 0.01 ml of sample into a petri dish with 1 ml of sterile buffered dilution water prior to pouring with agar. Results with this method indicate that accuracy within ± 15 percent is attainable on samples of skim, 2 percent, homogenized, whole milk, and half and half. Measurements of chocolate milk were not accurate.