Improved microbiological assay for penicillin residues in milk and dairy products

The microbiological assay for penicillin residues in milk was improved. Acidification of milk with phosphoric acid to pH 4.5, centrifugation to remove precipitated proteinaceous matter, adjustment of pH to 6.0, a second centrifugation, and the use of a 2% agar base layer resulted in the consistent measurement of 0.01 unit penicillin activity/ml milk. Sarcina lutea was used as the assay organism. Recoveries in milk averaged 94%, in nonfat dry milk 84%, in cottage cheese 97%, and in cream cheese 94%.