Background: The Aerobic Plate Count (APC) is used to determine total aerobic bacterial populations in a sample.
It is also called the aerobic colony count, standard plate count, Mesophilic count or Total Plate Count.
At the traditional incubation temperature of 35°C, the assay will detect all bacteria which grow and thrive aerobically at mesophlic temperatures (a moderate temperature range between 20°C and 45°C).
Method
Media
Turn Around Time
Sample Required
Type of Test
Reportable Units
Detection Limit
Related Resource
AOAC 990.12-3M Petrifilm ISO Accredited
3M Petrifilm equivalent to Standard Method Agar
2 Business Days
10 to 100 g or mL or 1 swab
Quantitative Plate Count Analysis
CFU per gram or CFU per mL or CFU per cm2 depending on original sample matrix
<10 CFU/g or <1 CFU/mL or <0.1 CFU/cm2 depending on original sample matrix
Analysis Description: The 3M Petrifilm Aerobic Count Plate is a ready-made culture medium system that contains Standard Methods nutrients, a cold-water-soluble gelling agent and an indicator that facilitates colony enumeration. 3M Petrifilm AC Plates are used for the enumeration of aerobic bacteria.
The sample is diluted with a buffer, blended, and an extracted amount is plated on the Petrifilm, many times in a serial dilution format. Inoculated Petrifilm are incubated at 35°C for 48 hours.
