M-(HPC) Heterotrophic Plate Count Agar Base, 2.5KG

Heterotrophs are organisms including bacteria, yeasts and moulds that require an external source of organic carbon for growth. The heterotrophic plate count (HPC), formerly known as the standard plate count, is a procedure for estimating the number of live heterotrophic bacteria in water and measuring changes during water treatment and distribution or in swimming pools. Heterotrophic Plate Count Method has been applied in many variants and is widely used to measure the heterotrophic microorganism population in drinking water and other media. M-(HPC) Heterotrophic Plate Count Agar Base with added glycerol is recommended for the detection of heterotrophic organisms of potable water, swimming pool and other waters. Three different methods are described for determining the heterotrophic plate count i.e. pour plate method, spread plate method and membrane filter method. M-(HPC) Heterotrophic Plate Count Agar Base is employed for use in the membrane filtration technique. M-(HPC) Heterotrophic Plate Count Broth Base can also be employed for the determination of Heterotrophic Plate Count by the membrane filter method. Sterile cotton absorbent pads are saturated with the broth medium. Membrane filters are then placed on these saturated cotton absorbent pads or agar surface and incubated. Peptic digest of animal tissue is the source of nutrients for organisms, which are not highly fastidious. Gelatin is utilized by microorganisms through a proteolytic mechanism. The addition of glycerol to the basal medium provides a source of carbon and energy. 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.