Heterotrophic plate count, semiquantitative [HPC-S]

Published: July 8th, 2009

Revised: March 25th, 2023

This test measures total culturable bacteria contained in a swab collected without consideration to a specific surface area. For swabs collected from a specific surface area, please use test HPC-Q). The swab is cultured on Tryptic Soy Agar and incubating at 35 °C for a minimum of 48 hr prior to analysis. At the end of the incubation period, bacterial colonies are counted and reported as trace, 1+, 2+, 3+, or 4+, where the numeral preceding the “plus sign” indicates the order of magnitude of the number of colonies observed.

Laboratory code: HPC-S

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