Plate Count Agar is equivalent to the medium recommended by APHA for the isolation of microorganisms in milk and other dairy products (1).
Casein enzymic hydrolysate provides amino acids and other complex nitrogenous substances. Yeast extract supplies Vitamin B complex. APHA recommends pour plate technique. The samples are diluted and appropriate dilutions are placed in petri plates. Sterile molten agar is added to these plates and plates are rotated gently to ensure uniform mixing of the sample with agar. Plate Count Agar is also used for the estimation of the number of live heterotrophic bacteria in water.
Storage and Shelf-life:
Store below 30°C in tightly closed container and the prepared medium at 2 - 8°C. Use before expiry date on the label.
Reference:
1. American Public Health Association, 1978, Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products, 14th ed., APHA Inc. Washington, D.C.