EFFECT OF PLATE INCUBATION TEMPERATURE ON BACTERIAL COUNTS OF GRADE A RAW MILK1

Abstract

Bacterial counts on 155 raw milk samples obtained with plate incubation temperatures of 27 and 32 C were closely correlated (r = 0.96) . Correlation coefficients between counts obtained at both 27 and 32 C and psychrotrophic (7 C-10 days) counts for all samples were relatively low, but statistically significant ( P < 0.01). The correlation to psychrotrophic counts was especially low and in some instances lacking in statistical significance in the sample groups with counts ( 27 and 32 C) <100,000/ml. Eighty-four of the samples had higher counts at 32 C and 62 samples had higher counts at 27 C. The mean psychrotrophic count of the samples with higher counts at 27 C was higher than the mean psychrotrophic count of the other samples. However, the correlation coefficients were higher for samples with counts higher at 32 C. Incubation at 27 C does not appear to offer significant advantages over the 32 C incubation temperature used in the Standard Plate Count.