Microbiological Assay
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Microbiological Assay
A determinative test for both the qualitative identification and the quantitative analysis of microorganisms. A typical microbiological assay will include:
- Standard plate count - The total amount per gram sample of all microorganisms.
- Yeast and mold - The total number of yeasts and mold reported separately per 10-gram sample.
- Escherichia coli - The microorganism found in the intestines, indicating fecal contamination. In a 1-gram sample of product, the presence of E. coli should be negative.
- Coliforms - Related to E. coli, however found in the soil. Therefore, an unavoidable coliform count can sometimes contaminate some food products. Also in dairy systems, coliforms can occur from unsanitary milking processes. Minimization of contamination should be the goal with products such as these.
- Staphylococcus (for example, Staphylococcus aureus) - This also should be absent. The toxins of certain microorganisms can be very difficult if not virtually impossible to destroy by heat. Staphlococcus contamination can be one such case. Contamination usually comes from infected handling personnel where proper sanitation practices are not followed.
- Streptococcus (for example, Streptococcus pyogenese) - This contamination usually also comes from unsanitary handling personnel.
- Salmonella sp. - This is a problematic pathogen that must be absent. It is a spore former so low moisture powders can still contaminate systems when rehydrated.
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