Standard Plate Counts / Aerobic Plate Counts

The Standard Plate Count (SPC) is a commonly used method that provides information on the overall microbial load of a sample. It counts the total number microorganisms that will grow in the presence of oxygen at moderate temperatures (30 °C). It also known as the Aerobic Plate Count (APC), Total Viable Count (TVC) or aerobic mesophilic count.

When testing food products, the levels of microorganisms in the sample will vary significantly depending on the type of food product. Raw & fermented products may be expected to have quite high levels while foods subject to processing such as heat treatments should have lower counts.