Modified Microtiter count method for viable cell counts from pure cultures and food model samples

A modified Microtiter count method was designed to assess viable cell counts in a rapid, easy, and accurate way. A Spiral plate method was used for comparison with the modified Microtiter count method. There was a strong correlation between the two methods in microbial counts from pure cultures (Escherichia coli O157:H7, image; Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis, image; and Listeria monocytogenes, image) and food samples (image). This study suggests that a modified Microtiter count method can be used to determine viable bacterial cell counts.