3m Petrifilm Protocol

Sample Plates
Fast, easy-to-use
and reliable.
• Ready-to-use plates
• Proven test methods
• Improves productivity
• Consistent, reliable results
• Compact size maximizes incubator space
• Less storage space required
• Reduced waste and waste disposal costs
• Simplified and improved stock control
A more sustainable solution* for the environment and your business.
76% 75% Data in up to

Energy GHG ½ the time
emissions
79% 66% 85%

Water Waste Less space
than agar
* Results compared to agar plates
Sample Plates
Aerobic Bacteria Count: 135
Count all red colonies regardless of size or intensity.
AC
Aerobic Count Plate
Product Code 6400 (box of 100 units)
6406 (box of 1,000 units)
Method: AOAC® Official Milk and Dairy Products
Method of Analysis SM
48h ± 3h at 32°C ± 1°C
All Other Foods
48h ± 3h at 35°C ± 1°C
NF Validation by For All Foods
AFNOR Certification 72h ± 3h at 30°C ± 1°C
All Foods Except Dairy
and Raw Shellfish
48h ± 3h at 30°C ± 1°C
Incubation Stacks of 20 or less
Optimum pH Range 6.6–7.2
Recommended Counting Range <300 CFU
Counting Area 20cm2
Spreader Type 3M™ Petrifilm™ Spreader
Visit the 3M Food Safety website at 3M.com/Petrifilm for product

information and product instructions which include information regarding
validation recognition, scope and end of validity.
AC
Aerobic Count Plate
Aerobic Bacteria Count: TNTC
Estimate count by counting colonies in one square and multiply
by 20 (counting area).
AC
Aerobic Count Plate
Method: AOAC® Official Milk and Dairy Products
48h ± 3h at 32°C ± 1°C
All Other Foods
48h ± 3h at 35°C ± 1°C
NF Validation by For All Foods
All Foods Except Dairy
and Raw Shellfish
48h ± 3h at 30°C ± 1°C
Counting Area 20cm2

AC
Aerobic Count Plate
Aerobic Bacteria Count: 88
Blue and red indicator dyes in the plate color the colonies. Count all
colonies regardless of their size or color intensity.
RAC
Rapid Aerobic Count Plate
6479 (case of 500 units)
Method: AOAC® Official Dairy (Not Including Powders)
and Seafood
24h ± 2h at 32°C ± 1°C
All Other Foods
24h ± 2h at 35°C ± 1°C
Dairy Powders Including
Whey Powders
48h ± 3h at 32°C ± 1°C
NF Validation by Non-Powdered Dairy Products
Powdered Milk
48h ± 3h at 30°C ± 1°C
(SMEDP: 20 or less)
Optimum pH Range >5.0
Counting Area 30cm2
Spreader Type 3M™ Petrifilm™ Flat Spreader

RAC
Rapid Aerobic Count Plate
Heterotrophic Count: 24
AQHC (Filter or Direct Plating)

Aqua Heterotrophic Count Plate
If using filter, hydrate plate
before inserting filter.
Method: 48h ± 3h at 35°C ± 2°C
Plate with Filter Procedure
Method: 44h ± 4h at 36°C ± 2°C or
Direct Plate Procedure 68h ± 4h at 22°C ± 2°C
Optimum pH Range Not Applicable
Recommended Counting Range <300 Direct Plating
Counting Area 20cm2

AQHC (Filter or Direct Plating)

Aqua Heterotrophic Count Plate
1
Enterobacteriaceae Count: 13
Enterobacteriaceae are red colonies with yellow zones and/or red
colonies with gas bubbles with or without yellow zones.
EB
Enterobacteriaceae Count Plate
Method: AOAC® Official Selected Foods
24h ± 2h at 37°C ± 1°C
NF Validation by All Human Food Products,
AFNOR Certification Animal Feed and Industrial
Environmental Samples
24h ± 2h at 30°C ± 1°C or
37°C ± 1°C
Counting Area 20cm2

EB
Enterobacteriaceae Count: TNTC (Estimated Count: 380)
One of the following characteristics should be present when
determining TNTC: Light color background, many small colonies
or many gas bubbles.
EB
Method: AOAC® Official Selected Foods
24h ± 2h at 37°C ± 1°C
AFNOR Certification Animal Feed and Industrial
24h ± 2h at 30°C ± 1°C or
37°C ± 1°C
Counting Area 20cm2

EB
AOAC® OMA, NF Validation Certified Method 3M 01/02–09/89 B
Coliform Count: 69 (colonies with gas)
NF Validation by AFNOR Certified Method 3M 01/02–09/89 A and
01/02–09/89 C
Coliform Count: 97 (total colonies)
CC
Coliform Count Plate
Method: AOAC® Official Milk and Other Dairy Products
24h ± 2h at 32°C ± 1°C
Foods
24h ± 2h at 35°C ± 1°C
NF Validation by 3M 01/02-09/89 B
AFNOR Certification All Human Food Products
(Except Raw Shellfish)
3M 01/02–09/89 A
24h ± 2h at 30°C ± 1°C or
All Human Food Products
37°C ± 1°C
(Except Raw Shellfish),
Pet Food and Environmental 3M 01/02–09/89 C
Samples All Human Food Products
24h ± 2h at 30°C ± 1°C or 24h ± 2h at 44°C ± 1°C
37°C ± 1°C
Counting Area 20cm2

CC
2
Coliform Count: 8 (colonies with gas)

Coliform Count: 13 (total colonies)
Circle 1: Gas may disrupt the colony so that the colony “outlines”
the bubble.
Circle 2: Artifact bubble may be caused from trapped air within
the sample or improper inoculation.
CC
Images below should be Images below should be
enumerated as one colony. enumerated as two colonies.
Bubbles
The illustrations above show examples of various bubble patterns
associated with gas producing colonies. These examples apply to the
following plates: HSCC, CC, EC/CC, EB, RCC, LAB. It is possible to
see more than one bubble pattern on one 3M™ Petrifilm™ Coliform
Count Plate.
CC
Coliform Enumeration by Acid Zones
(6–14 hours)
RCC
Rapid Coliform Count Plate
6412 (box of 500 units)
Method: AOAC® Official Foods
Up to 24h ± 2h at 35°C ± 1°C
NF Validation by Processed Pork and Seafood
AFNOR Certification 14h ± 30min at 30°C ± 1°C or
24h ± 2h at 30°C ± 1°C
All Other Human Foods
14h ± 30min at 35°C ± 1°C or
24h ± 2h at 35°C ± 1°C
Counting Area 20cm2

RCC
Coliform Colony Enumeration
(8–24 hours)
RCC
Up to 24h ± 2h at 35°C ± 1°C
24h ± 2h at 30°C ± 1°C
14h ± 30min at 35°C ± 1°C or
24h ± 2h at 35°C ± 1°C
Counting Area 20cm2

RCC
Coliform Colony Enumeration
(24 hours)
RCC
Up to 24h ± 2h at 35°C ± 1°C
24h ± 2h at 30°C ± 1°C
14h ± 30min at 35°C ± 1°C or
24h ± 2h at 35°C ± 1°C
Counting Area 20cm2

RCC
Coliform Count: 4
Note: 5mL of samples are used to inoculate plate to increase sensitivity.
HSCC
High-Sensitivity Coliform Count Plate
Method: AOAC® Official Dairy Products
24h ± 2h at 32°C ± 1°C
NF Validation by Human Food Products
AFNOR Certification 24h ± 2h at 30°C ± 1°C or
37°C ± 1°C
Method Thermotolerant Coliforms
24h ± 2h at 44°C ± 1°C
Incubator humidification
is required at this elevated
temperature.
Counting Area 60cm2
Spreader Type 3M™ Petrifilm™ High Sensitivity
Spreader (6481)

HSCC
High-Sensitivity Coliform Count Plate
E. coli Count: 49 (blue colonies with gas)
Total Coliform Count: 87 (red and blue colonies with gas)
EC
E. coli/Coliform Count Plate
Method: AOAC® Official Coliform in Foods
24h ± 2h at 35°C ± 1°C
E. coli in Foods
48h ± 4h at 35°C ± 1°C
Poultry, Meats and Seafood
Coliforms and E. coli
24h ± 2h at 35°C ± 1°C
Counting Area 20cm2

EC
E. coli/Coliform Count Plate
E. coli Count: 29 (blue colonies with and without gas)
Total Coliform Count: 60 (red colonies with gas and blue colonies)
Total Coliform Count: 60 (red and blue colonies)
REC
Rapid E. coli/Coliform Count Plate
Method: AOAC® Dairy Products

Performance Method 18–24h at 30°C ± 1°C or 32°C ± 1°C (coliforms and
SM
Tested E. coli) or 42°C ± 1°C (E. coli)
Other Foods, Pet Food and Environmental Samples

18–24h at 35°C ± 1°C or 37°C ± 1°C (coliforms and
E. coli) or 42°C ± 1°C (E. coli)
MicroVal Certification Dairy Products

18-24h at 30°C ± 1°C (coliforms and E. coli) or
42°C ± 1°C (E. coli)
Other Food, Pet Food and Environmental Samples

18-24h at 37°C ± 1°C (coliforms and E. coli) or
42°C ± 1°C (E. coli)
Optimum pH Range >5
Recommended E. coli
Counting Range <100 blue to blue green colonies
Total Coliform
<100 total colonies
Counting Area 30cm2

REC
Rapid E. coli/Coliform Count Plate
E. coli Count: 56
SEC
Select E. coli Count Plate
AFNOR Certification Pet Food and Industrial
24h ± 2h at 42°C ± 1°C
Counting Area 20cm2
Sold in select regions only.

SEC
Select E. coli Count Plate
S. aureus Count: 116
Red-violet colonies are S. aureus.
STX
Staph Express Count Plate
Product Code Plates 6490 (box of 50 units)
Disks 6492 (box of 20 units)
Method: AOAC® Official In Food
Plate: 24h ± 2h at 35°C ± 1°C or

37°C ± 1°C
Disk: 1–3h at 35°C ± 1°C or
37°C ± 1°C
NF Validation by All Human Food and Pet Food
AFNOR Certification
Plate: 24h ± 2h at 37°C ± 1°C
Disk: 3h at 37°C ± 1°C
Counting Area 30cm2

STX
Red-violet colonies are S. aureus. Blue-green colonies are not S. aureus.
Black colonies may or may not be S. aureus. If colony colors other than
red-violet are present, use a 3M™ Petrifilm™ STX Disk before counting
S. aureus.
STX
Pink zones form with DNase reaction from S. aureus.
STX
Yeast Count: 44
Yeast Characteristics: Small colonies, colony has defined edges,
color can range off-white to blue-green, colony may appear raised
and typically uniform in color — no fading.
YM
Yeast and Mold Count Plate
5 days at 20–25°C
Counting Area 30cm2
Spreader Type 3M™ Petrifilm™
Yeast and Mold Spreader

YM
Mold Count: 27
Mold Characteristics: Diffused edges, variable color, colonies appear
flat and usually a foci in the middle of colonies.
YM
Total Count: 20 (Yeast Count: 16, Mold Count: 4)
Contains both yeast colonies and mold colonies.
YM
Yeast Count: 44 (after 48 hours)
Yeast Characteristics: Small colonies, colonies have defined edges,
pink-tan to blue-green in color, colonies appear raised (3 dimensional)
and colonies have a uniform color.
RYM
Rapid Yeast and Mold Count Plate
Method: AOAC® Official Select Foods
48–60h at 25°C ± 1°C or
28°C ± 1°C
AFNOR Certification Animal Feed and Environmental
Products (Primary Production
Samples Excepted)
60–72h at 25°C ± 1°C or
28°C ± 1°C
Counting Area 30cm2

RYM
Mold Count: 12 (after 48 hours)
Mold Characteristics: Large colonies, colonies have diffused edges,
blue-green to variable upon prolonged incubation, colonies appear
flat and colonies have a dark center with diffused edge.
RYM
Method: AOAC® Official Select Foods
48–60h at 25°C ± 1°C or
28°C ± 1°C
AFNOR Certification Animal Feed and Environmental
Products (Primary Production
Samples Excepted)
60–72h at 25°C ± 1°C or
28°C ± 1°C
Counting Area 30cm2

RYM
Listeria Colony Count: 11
EL
Environmental Listeria Plate
Method: AOAC® Performance Add 2mL BPW to 1mL sample or
Tested Method 5mL BPW to 10mL of sample.
Leave at room temperature for
1 to 1.5 hours.
Plate 3mL and incubate:
28h ± 2h at 35°C ± 1°C or
37°C ± 1°C
Do not exceed 30 hours
incubation.
Recommended Counting Range Not Applicable
Counting Area 42cm2
Spreader Type 3M™ Petrifilm™ Large Square
Spreader (6498)

EL
Environmental Listeria Plate
2
Total Lactic Acid Bacteria Count: 41

Circle 1: Homofermentative colony (non-gas producing).
Circle 2: Heterofermentative colony (gas producing).
LAB
Lactic Acid Bacteria Count Plate
Method: AOAC® Performance Foods and Environmental
Method Tested Samples
SM
Incubate 48h ± 3h at
appropriate temperature
between 28–37°C
NF Validation by AFNOR Foods (Excluding Yogurts)
Certification and Industrial Environmental
Samples
48h ± 3h at 30°C ± 1°C
Recommended Counting Range Colonies Without Gas
<300 CFU
Colonies With and Without Gas
<150 CFU
Counting Area 30cm2

LAB
Lactic Acid Bacteria Count Plate
Presumptive Salmonella Colonies
SALX
Salmonella Express Count Plate
Method Combine sample with 3M Salmonella Enrichment Base
(SEB500, SEB025) and 3M Salmonella Enrichment
Supplement (SESUP001), incubate 18–24h.
High Microbial Load Foods
Transfer sample into Rappaport-Vassiliadis R10
(BPO288500) incubate 8–24h.
Hydration Dispense 2mL of sterile Butterfield’s Phosphate Diluent,
distilled water or reverse osmosis water. Use spreader
to distribute diluent and allow gel to form for 1h at room
temperature before streaking onto plate.
Inoculation Single streak enriched sample using a sterile 10µL
(3mm diameter) loop.
Incubation 41.5°C ± 1°C for 22–26h, stacks of 20 or less
Results Qualitative (presence/absence); presumptive results.
Interpretation Presumptive positive Salmonella is a red, dark red,
brown colony with yellow zone or gas bubble or both.
Circle presumptive positive colonies.
Validation AOAC® OMA 2014.01

SALX
Biochemically Confirmed Positive for Salmonella Species
SALX (with Confirmation Disk)

Product Code Plates 6536 (box of 50 units)
Disks 6538 (box of 5 units)
Method After circling presumptive positive colonies on top
film of plate, add 3M™ Petrifilm™ Salmonella Express
Confirmation Disk to the 3M™ Petrifilm™ Salmonella
Express Count Plate.
Incubate 4–5h.
Incubation 41.5°C ± 1°C, stacks of 20 or less
Results Qualitative (presence/absence). Biochemical
confirmation, is statistically equivalent to biochemical
results of reference methods.
Compares to standard method testing through
biochemical confirmation, not equivalent to O&H
serological results.
Interpretation Circled presumptive positive Salmonella colonies
that are biochemically confirmed will turn green-blue,
blue-dark blue, black or have a blue precipitate.
Validation AOAC® OMA 2014.01

SALX (with Confirmation Disk)

Shelf life and storage.
• 18 months (after manufactured date).
• Store unopened 3M™ Petrifilm™ Plate
pouches refrigerated or frozen at
temperatures lower than or equal to
8ºC (46ºF). For RAC, REC, RYM and LAB,
store between -20ºC to 8ºC (-4ºF to 46ºF).
• After opening 3M Petrifilm Plate pouches,
seal unused plates in pouch and store at
room temperature in a cool dry place. Use
plates within four weeks after opening.
–OR–
• Store open pouches in a sealable
container in the freezer.
Shelf Life & Storage

Why perform environmental
analysis?
• Destruction of
microorganisms Addition of process
(heating process…) microorganisms
(fermentation…)
• Stress
Raw materials Process line End product
Plant environment
Environmental
Natural including spoilage
contamination: air,
microflora and pathogen micro-
surfaces, people
organisms + toxins

Environmental Analysis
Improve productivity.
Save time and effort.
3M™ Petrifilm™ Plate Reader Advanced
• Plate enumeration in 6 seconds or less—
up to 900 plates per hour.
• Achieve up to 94% reduced time to
enumerate 3M™ Petrifilm™ Plates.*
• Enumeration for 10 of the 3M Petrifilm
Plates, including the complete Rapid Plate
portfolio, plus the 3M Petrifilm Staph
Express Disk.
* Observed on the 3M™ Petrifilm™ Aerobic

Count Plate with High Counts.
Plate Reader
Proficient software
technology.
• On-board fixed artificial intelligence (AI)
networks trained with a wide assortment of
foods.
• Create individual testing profiles for different
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• Reads 10 barcode symbologies.
Proactive reporting.
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customizable dashboard for actionable
Insights.
Preparation for surface direct
contact and air sampling.
Hydration procedure:
Place 3M™ Petrifilm™ Plate on a
level surface. Place 1mL hydration
diluent onto the center of the
bottom film.
Carefully roll top film down so

that it contacts hydration diluent
and then drop the top film.
Gently apply pressure on

spreader to distribute hydration
diluent over circular area before
gel is formed.
Keep plates closed for a minimum
of one hour before use.
Reminders For Use

Preparation — Hydration Procedure
Surface sampling method.
Direct contact
procedure:
Prior to use, hydrate the
3M™ Petrifilm™ Plate. Carefully
lift top film. Gel will adhere to
top film.
Allow the circular gel portion

of the top film to contact the
surface being tested.
Lift film from surface and rejoin

the top and bottom sheets of
3M™ Petrifilm™ Plates.
Incubate.

Reminders For Use

Surface Sampling Method — Direct Contact
Air sampling method.
Prior to use, hydrate the
tape
3M™ Petrifilm™ Plate with
Pe
r In trifi
Fo
cr
ea lm ™
se
d La P
b late
sterile buffer.
Effi
cie s
nc
y
Position hinged edge of

3M™ Petrifilm™ Plate into
3M™ Petrifilm™ Plate Clip.
Open the 3M™ Petrifilm™ Plate

and expose it to air no longer
than 15 minutes. Use either
double-stick tape or clip to
keep plate open.
Close plate and incubate
as defined by test.
Vertical position option:
Reminders For Use

Air Sampling Method
Surface sampling method.
Swab procedure:
Swab according to the
usual method.
Use a sterile diluent
compatible with
3M™ Petrifilm™ Plates.
Pour 1mL or pipette 1mL

of sample onto the center
of the bottom film.
Gently apply pressure on

spreader to distribute inoculum
over circular area before gel
is formed.
Use spreader to distribute sample.

Reminders For Use

Surface Sampling Method — Swab
Inoculation or hydration steps
for bottled water testing.*
Place 3M™ Petrifilm™ Plate on a
level surface. Place 1mL of sample
or hydration diluent.
Carefully roll top film so that

it contacts the sample or
hydration diluent and then
drop the top film.
Following standard procedures

for water analysis, membrane
filter water sample using a 47mm,
0.45 micron pore size Mixed
Cellulose Ester (MCE) filter.
* This applies for AQCC, CC, EB & YM

Plates according with the guidelines
for this application.
Reminders For Use

Inoculation or Hydration Steps
Inoculation or hydration steps for
bottled water testing. (cont.)
Place filter in the center

of bottom film.
Lightly apply pressure

to ensure uniform contact
of the filter with the gel
and to eliminate any air
bubbles. Use spreader
when recommended.

Reminders For Use

Inoculation or Hydration Steps
Making multiple dilutions.
10 mL
1mL
1 Prepare a 1:10 dilution
of food sample.
11g + Sterile
Diluent 1:10 Dilution
90 mL
Sterile Sterile 99mL Sterile =
Diluent
Diluent 1:10 Dilution 1mL
1:100 1:1,000 1mL
Sample
11g +
Dilution Dilution 11g +
99mL Sterile = Sterile
Sterile 1:1,000
99mL Dilution
Sterile = Diluent 1:10 Dilution
99mL
Sterile 1mL
Diluent 10 mL
Sample
2 Make a 1:100 dilution:

11g +
1:1,000 1:1,000 11g +
Sterile 99mL Sterile = Dilution Dilution
10mL
1mL
Transfer 10 mL of the 1:10 90mL
Sterile 99mL Sterile =
Sample
Diluent 1:1,000 Dilution
sample to 90 1:100
mL of sterile
→
Sterile
1:1,000
Dilution
diluent. Alternative
Dilution
volumes
90mL
Sterile
Diluent
1:10 Dilution 1:10 Dilution 1:1,000 Dilution
1:100
Dilution
11g + 1:1,000
Dilution can be used as long as the 11g +
Sterile
Diluent
99mL Sterile =
1:10 Dilution ratio is maintained.* 99mL Sterile =
1:1,000 Dilution 1mL
10 mL
Sample
Sterile
Diluent
1:1,000
Dilution 3 Make a 1:1,000 dilution:
1:10 Dilution
With a new tip or pipette,
90mL
Sterile
Diluent
1:1,000 Dilution
transfer 10 mL of the 1:100

1:100 1:1,000
erile 1:100
1mL
1:1,000
1:100
Dilution
→ 1mL
1:1,000
Dilution
1:1,000
Dilution
Dilution
sample to 90 mL of sterile
1:10 Dilution 1:10 Dilution
Dilution
1:1,000 D
luent Dilution Dilution 1:10 Dilution 1:10 Dilution 1:1,000 Dilution
diluent.
1:10 1:10,000
Dilution Dilution
4 Make a 1:10,000 dilution:
With a new tip or pipette,
1mL 1mL 1mL
transfer 10 mL of the
1:1,000
Dilution
→ 1:10,000
Dilution
1mL
1:1,000
Dilution
1:1,000 sample to 90 mL of
1mL 1mL 1mL 1:10 Dilution 1:10 Dilution 1:1,000 D
1mL
1mL 1mL
sterile diluent. 1mL 1mL
→ 1:100 1:10 1:10,000
99mL
99mL
Sterile
Sterile
Diluent
Diluent
1mL
1mL
1:1,000
Dilution Dilution Dilution

1:10 Dilution
1:10 Dilution 1:1,000
1:1,000
Dilution
Dilution
→
99mL
Dilution
99mL
Sterile
Sterile
Diluent
Diluent
1:100 1:10 1:10,000
Reminders For Use

1:10 Dilution
1:10 Dilution
1:1,000
1:1,000
Dilution
Dilution
1:100 1:10 1:10,000

1mL
Making Multiple Dilutions 1mL

1mL
1mL 1mL
1mL
1mL
1:1,000
→
99mL
1:1,000
99mL
Dilution
Sterile
Sterile
Diluent
Diluent
1:1,000
Dilution
1:10 Dilution
1:10 Dilution 1:1,000
Dilution
Dilution
1:100 1:10 1:10,000

1
D
Diluent 1mL
10 mL
Sample
1:10 Dilution 1:1,000 Dilution
1:10 Dilution 1:1,000 Dilution Sterile

11g + Diluent 1:10 Dilution
90mL
Sterile
Sterile 99mL Sterile = Diluent
1:100 1mL 1:1,000
Sample
11g +
Dilution Dilution
Diluent 1:10
1:1,000 Dilution
Dilution
99mL
Sterile
Making multiple dilutions. (cont.)

11g + Diluent
Sterile 99mL Sterile = 1:1,000 1:1,000 1

Dilution Dilution
1mL
First plate 1:10,000
Sample
5
1mL 1mL 99m
1:1,0
11g +

1mL 1mL
99mL
dilution: Using a new tip or Sterile
pipette, draw up 1 mL of the
Sterile
1mL Diluent
Sample
1:10
1:1,000
Dilution
1:10,000
Dilution →
1:10,000
1:1,000
Dilution
1:1,000
Dilution1:10 Dilution
1:10,000
1:1,000
Dilution dilution. Dispense Sterile
Dilution 1:10 Dilution
1:10Diluent
11g +
1:1,000 Dilution
the 1 mL sample onto the

99mL
Dilution Dilution Sterile 99mL Sterile =
1:10 11g + 1:10,000
Diluent 1:1,000 Dilution
Dilution
Dilution
1:1,000 1:1,000 3M Petrifilm Plate. 11g +
Dilution Dilution 1mL
1mL
Plate the 1:1,000 dilution:
Sample
Sterile 1:1,000
6
Diluent Dilution 99mL Sterile =
1:1,000 Dilution
1mL
99mL
Using the same** tip or Sterile
pipette, draw up 1 mL of the

Sterile
Diluent 1mL
→ 1:1,000
Dilution
1:1,000
1:1000
Dilution dilution. Dispense
11g +
Sterile
Diluent
1:1,000
Dilution
1mL 1:1,000
1:10 Dilution the1mL
1 mL sample onto the 1mL 1:1,000 Dilution
99mL Sterile =
1:1,000 Dilution
1mL
1mL
Dilution
1:1,000
3M Petrifilm Plate.
1mL Dilution
→
Plate the 1:100 dilution:
99mL
7
99mL
Sterile 1:1,000
Sterile
1mL
Sterile
Diluent
Diluent
Diluent Dilution 1:10 Dilution

1:10 Dilution
1:1,000
1:1,000
Dilution
Dilution
1:100
1mL Sterile
Diluent
Using
1:10 Dilution
1:10
the 1mL same tip or 1:10,000 1mL
99mL
Sterile
Diluent
Dilution pipette, draw up 1 mL of
Dilution the
Dilution
1:1,000
Dilution
→ Dilution
1:1,000 1:100 dilution. Dispense the
11g +
1 mL sample onto the 3M 1:10,000

Sterile 1:100
Diluent Dilution 1:10 Dilution 1:1,000 Dilution
99mL Sterile =
1:100 1:10
1:1,000 Dilution
1mL Dilution 1mL Petrifilm Plate.
Dilution 1mL Dilution
1mL
1mL 1mL
8 Plate the 1:10 dilution:
Using1mL the same tip or pipette,
1:100 1:10 draw up 1 1:10,000
mL of the 1:10 1:1,000
1mL
Dilution
→ Dilution Dilution
dilution. Dispense the 1 mL Dilution
1:100 1:10 Dilution 1:10 1:1,000 Dilution sample
1:10,000 onto the 3M Petrifilm
Dilution 1mL Dilution 1mL
Plate.
Dilution 1mL
1:1,000
1mL Dilution
*
Transfer 1*V to 9*V of sterile diluent, where V is the volume of the sample.
**
The same tip can be used when plating from the most dilute sample to the least
dilute. If plating from least dilute to most
1:100 1:10 dilute a new tip should be used for
1mL
1:10,000
each plate. 1:1,000
Dilution
Visit the 3M Food Safety website at 3M.com/Petrifilm for product information and
product1mLinstructions which include 1mL
information regarding validation
1:1,000 recognition,
scope and end of validity. Dilution 1mL
Reminders For Use

1:10
Dilution
1:10,000
Dilution 1:100
Dilution
Making Multiple Dilutions

1mL
1:100
Dilution
Determining CFU counts
per gram of sample.
Example 1: Single plate.
1mL plated of 1:10 dilution.
3 × 10 ÷ 1 = 30
Count: 3 Count Dilution mL CFU/g
Factor Plated Reported
Example 2: Multiple plates in order to

achieve higher sensitivity.
1mL each plated of 1:10 dilution
on two plates equals 2mL total.
3 × 10 ÷ 2 = 15
(2) (1) Count Dilution mL CFU/g
Total Count: 3 Factor Plated Reported
CFU Counts
Add appropriate quantity of sterile diluents
as defined in 3M™ Petrifilm™ Plate Package
Inserts. Do not use buffers containing
citrate, bisulfite or thiosulfate; they can
inhibit growth.
Method approval by private or public organizations

(e.g., AOAC® INTERNATIONAL or AFNOR Certification)
does not guarantee the performance of 3M™ Petrifilm™
Plates for any particular food product or process.
3M Food Safety 3M and Petrifilm are trademarks of 3M.

3M Center Used under license in Canada.
Building 275-5W-05 AOAC is a registered trademark of
AOAC INTERNATIONAL. Microsoft is
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000 a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Please recycle. Printed in USA.
1-800-328-6553 © 3M 2021. All rights reserved.
3M.com/Petrifilm 70-2009-9482-3 Rev-0621

3m Petrifilm Protocol

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Sample Plates

A more sustainable solution* for the environment and your business.

76% 75% Data in up to

79% 66% 85%

* Results compared to agar plates

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AQHC (Filter or Direct Plating)

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AQHC (Filter or Direct Plating)

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Coliform Count: 8 (colonies with gas)

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Method: AOAC® Dairy Products

Other Foods, Pet Food and Environmental Samples

MicroVal Certification Dairy Products

Other Food, Pet Food and Environmental Samples

Incubation Stacks of 20 or less

Optimum pH Range >5

Counting Area 30cm2

Spreader Type 3M™ Petrifilm™ Flat Spreader

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Plate: 24h ± 2h at 35°C ± 1°C or

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Total Lactic Acid Bacteria Count: 41

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SALX (with Confirmation Disk)

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SALX (with Confirmation Disk)

Shelf Life & Storage

Raw materials Process line End product

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* Observed on the 3M™ Petrifilm™ Aerobic

Carefully roll top film down so

Gently apply pressure on

Reminders For Use

Allow the circular gel portion

Lift film from surface and rejoin

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Reminders For Use

Position hinged edge of

Open the 3M™ Petrifilm™ Plate

Reminders For Use

Pour 1mL or pipette 1mL

Gently apply pressure on

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