Correlation study between standard plate count and flow cytometry for determination of raw milk total bacterial count

Milk samples were collected in the dry season (n = 155) and in the rainy season (n = 68) to establish a correlation between electronic flow cytometry and standard plate count for the determination of total bacterial count of raw milk. Results were expressed in individual bacterial count (ibc) and colony forming unit (cfu) for electronic flow cytometry (Bactocount) and standard plate count, respectively. The accuracy of Bactocount, denoted by the residual standard deviation (s(y,x)), was 0.309 log cfu/mL. The predictive interval of estimated values was broad and it is suggested that total bacterial count should be expressed in ibc without transformation to cfu.