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Measurement of the Bacteriological Quality of Milk by Direct Microscopic Examination of Membrane Filters

Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Vermont, Burlington

ABSTRACT

In expressing a need for new quality tests, many workers state the agar plate method is too expensive and time-consuming (1). The random distribution of cells, the pattern of solids deposition, and the necessary working factors adversely affect the usefulness of the direct microscopic count in making numerical estimates of bacteria (4). The purpose of this study was to improve the reliability of microscope examination for enumerating leucocytes and bacteria.

Several methods have been described in the literature in which microscopic examination membrane filters have been used in making total counts of the microorganisms in fluid samples other than milk (2, 3, 5, 6).

In this study a membrane microscopic count procedure (MMC), using membrane filters to concentrate the microorganisms in milk, was developed.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

The membrane filters were prepared as follows:

1. Five milliliters of milk was acidified aseptically with one drop lactic acid (1:3 aqueous).