Direct Methods of Estimating

Microbial Growth
1. Direct microscopic count (using a
hemocytometer)
2. Viable cell count
3. Miles and Misra

Direct Microscopic Count

A hemocytometer, also
called
counting
chamber, is a specimen
slide used to determine
the
concentration
of
cells in a liquid sample.

Advantages
No incubation time
required
Does not take much
time
Disadvantages
Motile bacteria are
difficult to count
Dead cells are likely to
be counted as live
ones

Direct Microscopic Count

Direct Microscopic Count

Direct Microscopic Count

Viable Cell Count

- Also called plate count
- Measures number of viable cells
- Takes time, usually 24 hours or more
for visible colonies to form
- Reported as colony-forming units (CFU)
- Two types:
1. Surface Plating
2. Pour Plating

Viable Cell Count

Surface Plating
- Positions all colonies on surface
- Avoids contact between cells and melted agar
Pour Plating
- Colonies grow within agar and as well as on
surface of agar plates
- Melted agar may damage heat-sensitive
bacteria
- Cannot be used for certain differential media

Viable Cell Count

Miles and Misra

- Surface viable count;
Surface drop
- Does not much time
and less bacterial
contamination occurs
- Rate of absorption of
drops on to the surface
of agar depends upon
the environmental
conditions like
temperature and
humidity

Greater number of
bacteria, more
dilution is needed
to reduce density.

Miles and Misra