Enumeration of total bacteria in raw and pasteurized milk by reflectance colorimetry: collaborative study

Seven out of 9 laboratories completed a collaborative study comparing a reflectance colorimetric (RC) bioactivity monitor (Omnispec 4000) method to the standard plate count (SPC) method for estimation of total bacteria in raw and homogenized pasteurized milk. Each laboratory analyzed 12 different samples by the SPC method and 24 samples (12 blind duplicates) by the RC method. For the RC method RSDr was 1.7%, and RSDR was 4.5%. RSDR for the SPC method was 20.8%. The method was adopted first action by AOAC INTERNATIONAL.