Bacteriological sampling of glass, rubber and stainless steel pipe sections

Abstract

SummaryA practical effective method was devised for the removal of bacteria from soiled glass, rubber and stainless steel pipe sections which allowed the isolation of bacteria more loosely associated with the surfaces. This method, consisting of a pre-rinse followed by six successive double squeegee rinses, was compared with six other procedures (involving scraping followed by one or more successive swabbings) for the removal of bacteria from rubber pipe sections which had been inserted into an experimental milking plant. The squeegee method was found to be the most effective. It was also found that one particular part of these pipe sections was consistently more heavily contaminated.