Compact Dry TC | Total Aerobic Count

Compact Dry TC plates offer a quick, reliable way to measure the overall microbial load in foods, dairy, seafood, and environmental samples. Each pre-sterilized dish combines dehydrated chromogenic medium with a self-diffusing gel. Aerobic mesophiles grow as bright-red colonies, while food residues remain colorless for clear enumeration. Compact Dry TC streamlines total viable count testing, giving you clear results that keep production moving and quality standards on target. Key Benefits AOAC Performance Tested Method – validated for regulatory confidence. True “open → inoculate → incubate” workflow – no agar prep, spreading, or autoclaving. Distinct red colonies – high contrast against the pale background makes counts easy and photo-documentation straightforward. Broad matrix coverage – validated for raw meats, cooked poultry, RTE produce, frozen fish, and fluid/powdered dairy—ideal for routine release testing across food, beverage, and nutraceutical plants. Ambient-stable & stackable – store at 1 – 30 °C; slim profile maximizes incubator space. Supports regulatory programs – meets FDA expectations for total plate count as a key hygiene indicator. Incubation Parameters Matrix Temperature Time Raw Meat 35 ± 1 °C 48 ± 3 h All other matrices 30 ± 1 °C 48 ± 3 h pH tip: Adjust the product (or 1 : 10 dilution) to pH 6 – 7 with 0.1 – 1 N NaOH (acidic) or HCl (alkaline) to ensure optimal colony development. Performance Countable range: 1 – 300 CFU per plate (1 mL inoculum).