A flow cytometry method for rapid detection and enumeration of total bacteria in milk.

Application of flow cytometry (FCM) to microbial analysis of milk is hampered by the presence of milk proteins and lipid particles. Here we report on the development of a rapid (</=1-h) FCM assay based on enzymatic clearing of milk to determine total bacteria in milk. When bacteria were added to ultra-heat-treated milk, a good correlation (r >/= 0.98) between the FCM assay and the more conventional methods of plating and direct microscopic counting was achieved. Raw milk data showed a significant correlation (P < 0.01) and a good agreement (r = 0.91) between FCM and standard plate count methods. The detection limit of the FCM assay was </=10(4) bacteria ml of milk(-1). This limit is below the level of detection required to satisfy legislation in many countries and states.