Comparative Performance of Easy Plate AC-R for Rapid Aerobic Bacteria Count in Multiple Food Types

Introduction:

The aerobic plate count is crucial in food microbiological testing, but traditional methods such as Plate Count Agar (PCA) take 48 hours for enumeration. The newly developed ready-to-use (RTU) media for aerobic bacteria count, Easy Plate AC-R (RTU-A) byKikkoman Biochemifa Company, are convenient and environmentally friendly, and allow for rapid enumeration in just 24 hours.

Purpose:

The enumeration performance of RTU-A, PCA, and three other RTU media (RTU-X, RTU-Y, RTU-Z) was compared using various commercially available food samples. Method: Sixty-four food matrices, including meats, seafoods, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and prepared foods such as RTE foods and dried foods, were used for evaluation. Each medium was inoculated with 1 mL of food dilution and incubated at 35±1 °C. Colony counts were performed visually at 24±1 hours for RTU media and at 48±2 hours for PCA. Counts for RTU-A were performed not only visually but also using Colony Counting System (CCS).

Result:

The correlation coefficients between RTU-A and PCA, as well as RTU-X, RTU-Y, and RTU-Z, were 0.986, 0.990, 0.993, and 0.996, respectively. RTU-A demonstrated equivalent enumeration performance to PCA at 48 hours incubation, with comparable results achieved in just 24 hours. in addition, the correlation coefficient between visual colony counts and those obtained by CCS for RTU-A was 0.979. CCS tended to detect higher numbers of colonies compared to visual counting, confirming its ability to accurately count small and pale colonies.

Significance:

The newly developed RTU-A has demonstrated the ability to perform aerobic bacteria count in significantly less time than conventional PCA methods. When combined with CCS, it is expected to further reduce operator workload, standardize processes and improve traceability.

FOOD TAIPEI MEGA SHOWS 2025

The Premier Platform for The Food Industry in Asia FOOD TAIPEI MEGA SHOWS brings together FOOD TAIPEI, FOODTECH TAIPEI, BIO/PHARMATECH TAIWAN, TAIPEI PACK, and TAIWAN HORECA, all held concurrently at TaiNEX 1 and 2.

We’re excited to announce our participation in FOOD TAIPEI MEGA SHOWS 2025, where five major trade shows—FOOD TAIPEI, FOODTECH TAIPEI, BIO/PHARMATECH TAIWAN, TAIPEI PACK, and TAIWAN HORECA—converge in one powerful exhibition. This year’s theme, "Precision Nutrition & Green Intelligence," emphasizes advancements in personalized food solutions and sustainable innovation. Showcase its cutting-edge hygiene and microbiological testing solutions, helping the food industry strengthen hygiene control and streamline testing operations across the supply chain.

Lumitester Smart & LuciPac A3

High-Sensitivity ATP Test (Kikkoman A3) Is your facility truly clean? Even after visual inspection and standard cleaning, invisible organic residues can remain—posing risks of bacterial contamination, foodborne illness, and allergen cross-contact. The ATP Test (Kikkoman A3) enables ultra-sensitive detection of invisible organic matter (ATP, ADP, AMP), allowing you to verify cleaning effectiveness and reduce risks across food processing, healthcare, and sanitation industries. Paired with Lumitester Smart, our compact, user-friendly luminometer, it provides fast, reliable hygiene monitoring you can trust.

Easy Plate &Colony Counting System

Next-Generation Microbial Testing Made Easy Easy Plate is a revolutionary, ready-to-use dry culture media that simplifies and accelerates microbiological testing in food safety programs. Validated by AOAC, MicroVal, and NordVal, it supports detection of:

• Aerobic Bacteria
• Coliforms
• E. coli/Coliforms
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Yeast and Mold
• Enterobactericiae 

Its stackable film format minimizes storage space and plastic waste while eliminating the need for media preparation. Enhance your workflow further with our Colony Counting System, a free downloadable software that pairs with the ADS-4300N scanner by Brother Industries to automate colony counting—boosting accuracy and efficiency.

Why Visit Us?

• See live demonstrations of Lumitester Smart & Easy Plate in action
• Discover how ATP testing supports allergen control and sanitation verification
• Learn how automated colony counting enhances laboratory efficiency
• Get expert advice from our technical team

Kleenmark

Welcome to the 2025 WISPAN/AORN Conference! Join Kleenmark for an exceptional event that brings together perioperative and perianesthesia nurses, industry innovators, and thought leaders. This year’s conference promises to be a hub of inspiration, innovation, and professional growth. Event Highlights Cutting-Edge Education Engage with thought-provoking keynote speakers. Participate in expert-led sessions tailored to enhance your practice and elevate patient care. Gain valuable insights into the latest trends and evidence-based practices. Networking Opportunities Connect with peers, leaders, and vendors from across the state and beyond. Share experiences and build lasting professional relationships.

Why Attend? Stay ahead in your career by learning about the latest trends and advancements in perioperative and perianesthesia nursing. Earn valuable continuing education credits to support your professional development. Be part of a vibrant, supportive community dedicated to excellence in patient care.

Lumitester Smart 

ATP Test (Kikkoman A3) Have you ever had concerns about the cleanliness of your working environment, even after careful cleaning? Using visual inspection methods can be deceiving as invisible soil can remain on surfaces causing risks for bacterial contamination foodborne illness and allergen contamination in the food manufacturing industry. In addition, it represents a risk of spreading infections in medical settings and the case of cleaning. The ATP Test (Kikkoman A3) enables high-sensitive detection of such invisible soil. We can verify cleaning insufficiency, which allows subsequent soil removal and risk reduction.