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Published on: October 21, 2010
3M™ Petrifilm™ Rapid Yeast and Mold Count Plate Method for the Enumeration of Yeast and Mold on Selected Surfaces:
Cari K Lingle1, April J Schumacher1, Micki L Rosauer1
13M Company, Food Safety Department, St. Paul, MN 55144-1000, USA.
Background:
The 3M™ Petrifilm™ Rapid Yeast and Mold Count (RYM) Plate contains nutrients supplemented with antibiotics, a cold-water-soluble gelling agent, and an indicator system that facilitates yeast and mold enumeration in 48-60 h.
Objective:
The objective of this study is to evaluate the 3M Petrifilm RYM Plate in a matrix extension study for the enumeration of yeast and mold on stainless steel, sealed concrete, and rubber surfaces.
Methods:
The 3M Petrifilm RYM Plate was compared to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Bacteriological Analytical Manual, Ch. 18: Yeasts, Molds and Mycotoxins in a paired matrix study for enumeration of yeast and mold on stainless steel, sealed concrete, and rubber environmental surfaces.
Results:
The 3M Petrifilm RYM Plate demonstrated equivalent performance to the reference method for enumeration of yeast and mold from stainless steel, sealed concrete, and rubber environmental surfaces. There were no significant statistical differences between the 3M Petrifilm RYM Plate and reference method results for the three matrixes evaluated.
Conclusion:
The 3M Petrifilm RYM Plate is an effective plating method for enumerating yeast and mold when analyzing stainless steel, sealed concrete, and rubber surfaces.
Highlights:
The 3M Petrifilm RYM Plate method allows the user to obtain accurate results within 48-60 h in the matrices evaluated for the presence of yeast and mold when incubated at 25 ± 1°C or 28 ± 1°C. Interpretation and colony counting was straightforward and the 3M Petrifilm RYM Plate method required no additional agar or Petri dishes, creating an easier workflow by cutting down on supplies, sample plating time, and most noticeably, occupying less space in the incubator.
Insights
The 3M Petrifilm Rapid Yeast and Mold (RYM) Plate effectively enumerates yeast and mold on various surfaces. This method provides accurate results within 48-60 hours, simplifying laboratory workflows.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Food Safety
- Environmental Monitoring
Background:
- The 3M™ Petrifilm™ Rapid Yeast and Mold (RYM) Count Plate is designed for rapid enumeration of yeast and mold.
- It contains essential nutrients, antibiotics, a gelling agent, and an indicator system for efficient detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of the 3M Petrifilm RYM Plate for yeast and mold enumeration.
- The study focused on matrix extension for stainless steel, sealed concrete, and rubber surfaces.
Main Methods:
- A paired matrix study compared the 3M Petrifilm RYM Plate against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) Ch. 18 method.
- Enumeration of yeast and mold was performed on stainless steel, sealed concrete, and rubber environmental surfaces.
Main Results:
- The 3M Petrifilm RYM Plate demonstrated equivalent performance to the reference method.
- No statistically significant differences were observed in yeast and mold enumeration across the three evaluated matrixes.
Conclusions:
- The 3M Petrifilm RYM Plate is a validated and effective method for enumerating yeast and mold on stainless steel, sealed concrete, and rubber surfaces.
- The method offers accurate results within 48-60 hours with a simplified workflow and reduced incubator space requirements.

