Determination of aerobic plate and yeast and mold counts in foods using an automated hydrophobic Grid-Membrane Filter technique

The Hydrophobic Grid-Membrane Filter (HGMF) technique, using an automated counting system, (ISO-GRID Sample Processor) was compared against the conventional pour plate technique for aerobic plate counts, and against a spread plate technique for enumerating yeasts and molds in foods. A total of 179 samples, involving five different food types, were compared for aerobic plate counts and 177 samples, representing four different food types, were compared for yeast and mold counts. In all cases, the HGMF counts determined by the Sample Processor were shown to be equivalent to, or greater than, counts obtained using conventional methods.