Plate Count Agar (PCA) | Standard Methods Agar for Total Bacterial Count

Product Name: Plate Count Agar (PCA)
Other Name: Standard Methods Agar
Packaging: 250 g / bottle
Storage Condition: Room temperature
Shelf Life: 3 years

Product Overview:
Plate Count Agar (PCA), also known as Standard Methods Agar, is a general-purpose solid culture medium used for the enumeration of total viable bacteria. It is widely applied in routine microbiological analysis for assessing microbial load in food, water, and environmental samples.

Composition (per liter):

• Tryptone – 5.0 g

• Yeast Extract – 2.5 g

• Dextrose – 1.0 g

• Agar – 15.0 g

• pH 7.0 ± 0.2 (at 25℃)

Preparation Instructions:

1. Suspend 23.5 g of the medium in 1 L of distilled or deionized water (adjust proportionally if required).

2. Heat and boil with stirring until completely dissolved.

3. Dispense into suitable containers.

4. Sterilize at 121℃ for 15 minutes.

5. Shake gently after sterilization to prevent agar settling, then cool and use as required.