Interpretation
3 Guide
Petrifilm™
Aerobic Count Plate
1
3M™ Petrifilm™ Aerobic Count Plate
2 3
Count = 0 Count = 16
It is easy to interpret the Petrifilm Aerobic Count plate. Figure 3 shows a Petrifilm Aerobic Count plate with a few
Figure 2 shows a Petrifilm Aerobic Count plate without bacterial colonies. A red indicator dye in the plate colours
colonies. the colonies. Count all red colonies regardless of sizes or
colour intensities. Use a standard Quebec-type counter to
read the Petrifilm plate.
4 5
Count = 143 Estimated count = 420
As with an agar pour plate, the preferable counting range on When colonies number more than 250 as in figure 5,
a Petrifilm Aerobic Count plate is 25-250 colonies. See estimate the count. Determine the average number of
figure 4. colonies in one square (1 cm2) and multiply it by 20 to
obtain the total count per plate. The inoculated area on a
Petrifilm Aerobic Count plate is approximately 20 cm2.
6 7
Count = TNTC Count = TNTC
Figure 6 shows a Petrifilm Aerobic Count plate with With very high counts, the entire growth area may turn
colonies that are too numerous to count (TNTC). pink, as shown in figure 7. You might observe individual
colonies only at the edge of the growth area. Record this as
a TNTC result.
8 9
Count = TNTC Count = TNTC
Occasionally, distribution of colonies appears uneven as The colonies on the Petrifilm Aerobic Count plate in figure
shown in figure 8. This is also an indication of a TNTC 9 appear countable at first glance. However, when you look
result. In fact, the distribution is even. closely at the edges of the growth area, you can see a high
concentration of colonies. Record this as a TNTC result.
See figure 9.
10 11
Estimated count = 160 Count = 83
A few species of bacteria liquify the gel in the Petrifilm Because colonies on Petrifilm Aerobic Count plates are red,
Aerobic Count plate, as shown in figure 10. When this you can distinguish them from opaque food particles that
occurs, determine the average count in a few unaffected cause confusion with agar pour plates. See figure 11.
squares and then estimate the total count. Do not count red
spots within the liquified area.
3M™ Petrifilm™
Aerobic Count Plates Reminders
For detailed warnings, cautions, disclaimer of warranties / limited remedy, limitation of 3M liability, for use
storage and disposal information and instructions for use, see product's package insert.
Storage
Petrifilm
Petrifilm
Petrifilm
Keep resealed package at ≤21°C
1 Refrigerate unopened packages
of 3M™ Petrifilm plates. Use
before expiration date on
2 To seal opened package, fold end
over and tape shut. 3 (≤70°F), ≤50%RH. Do not
refrigerate opened packages.
package. Use Petrifilm plates within one
month after opening.
Sample Preparation
4 Prepare a 1:10 or greater dilution
of food sample. Weigh or pipette
food product into Whirl-Pac®
5 Add appropriate quantity of
diluent. These include Standard
Methods phosphate buffer, 0.1%
6 Blend or homogenize sample per
current procedure.
bag, stomacher bag, dilution peptone water, distilled water,
bottle, or other appropriate sterile phosphate buffered saline, and
container. Butterfield's buffer. Do not use
buffers containing sodium citrate
or thiosulfate.
Inoculation
7 Place Petrifilm plate on flat
surface. Lift top film. 8 With pipette perpendicular to
Petrifilm plate, place 1 ml of
sample onto centre of bottom film.
9 Release top film; allow it to DROP.
Do NOT roll top film down.
10 With ridge side down, place
spreader on top film over
inoculum.
11 GENTLY apply pressure on
spreader to distribute inoculum
over circular area. Do not twist or
12 Lift spreader. Wait one minute for
gel to solidify.
slide the spreader.
Incubation Interpretation
<70°F
13 Incubate Petrifilm plates with the
clear side up in stacks of 20 or
less, at a temperature of
14 Read Petrifilm plates on a
standard Quebec-type colony
counter or other magnified light
35°C ±1°C for 48 ± 2 hours. source. Refer to Guide to
Interpretation when reading
results.
Additional Comments
• Steps 9 and 10 are unique to Petrifilm Aerobic Count plates.
• Note: Remember to inoculate and spread each Petrifilm plate before going on to the next.
Date Version
Février 2004 1.0
3
For Europe, please contact :
Laboratoires 3M Santé
Tél. : (33) 1 30 31 85 71
Microbiology Products Fax : (33) 1 30 31 85 78
3M Health Care Ltd
3M House
Morley Street
Loughborough
LEICS LE11 1EP
Tel: (01509) 613181
3M and Petrifilm are trademarks of the 3M Company
Whirl-Pak is a trademark of Nasco
