Comparison of the Precision Obtained in Counting Viable Bacteria by the Spiral Plate Maker, the Droplette and the Miles & Misra Methods

Abstract

The Spiral Plate Maker yielded counts of viable bacteria in pure suspensions that were at least as precise as those obtained under comparable conditions by the Droplette and Miles & Misra methods. A tendency of the Miles & Misra method to produce erroneous counts of Escherichia coli was demonstrated and the advantages of the mechanical method over established counting methods is discussed.