Milk Plate Count Agar

Intended Use

Milk Plate Count Agar is specifically designed for the isolation and enumeration of microorganisms present in milk and dairy products. This culture medium plays a crucial role in quality control and safety assessments for the dairy industry.

Product Summary and Explanation

Milk is a highly perishable liquid, and its safety can be compromised due to various forms of microbial contamination. Contaminants can stem from several factors, including:

• Soiled udders
• Inadequate cleaning of milking equipment
• Poor handling and processing of dairy samples

Such conditions, along with prolonged or improper storage, can lead to significant microbial growth. Notably, milk may be contaminated with pathogenic organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, and E. coli due to bovine mastitis. Furthermore, a lack of thorough equipment sanitation may lead to the presence of streptococci, coliforms, or heat-resistant Bacillus spp.. Inadequate preservation at temperatures below 7°C can also allow proteolytic psychrotrophic bacteria to spoil pasteurized or raw milk.

Milk Plate Count Agar aligns with standards established by the British Standards Institution, the International Dairy Federation, and the International Organization for Standardization. It is recommended for the enumeration of microorganisms in various dairy products, including liquid milk, ice cream, dried milk, and whey.

Product Details

Key Features and Specifications

• Efficient isolation of diverse microbial populations in dairy products.
• Compliant with internationally recognized standards for dairy microbiology.
• Effective for monitoring the quality and safety of milk and dairy items.