Plate Count Agar (PCA) – Standard Methods Medium for Total Aerobic Count
Laboratory-Proven Plate Count Agar – Gold Standard for Aerobic Microbial Enumeration
Achieve accurate and reproducible bacterial counts with our premium Plate Count Agar (PCA) – the universally accepted medium for total viable count (TVC) testing in food, dairy, pharmaceutical, and water quality control. Formulated to ISO 4833 and FDA BAM standards, this nutrient-balanced agar delivers consistent colony development for reliable quality assessment.
Critical Applications:
✔️ Food & Dairy Testing – ISO-compliant TVC enumeration
✔️ Pharmaceutical QC – Raw material bioburden testing
✔️ Water Quality Analysis – Drinking water heterotrophic count
✔️ Cosmetic Microbiology – Preservation efficacy testing
✔️ Environmental Monitoring – Surface contact plates
Optimized Formula (per liter):
| Component | Quantity | Function |
|—————————-|———-|——————————|
| High-Purity Tryptone | 5.0g | Primary Nitrogen Source |
| Yeast Extract | 2.5g | Vitamin Complex |
| Dextrose | 1.0g | Energy Substrate |
| Purified Agar | 15.0g | Optimal Gel Strength |
pH: 7.0 ± 0.2 (25°C) – Ideal for diverse aerobic microorganisms
Validated Preparation Protocol:
Dissolve 23.5g in 1L purified water
Boil with stirring until complete dissolution
Autoclave: 121°C for 15 minutes
Critical Step: Swirl gently post-sterilization
Pour Plates at 45-50°C (4mm thickness)
