A laboratory whirler for determining counts of thermoduric organisms in raw milk supplies

Abstract

The periodic occurrence of high counts of thermoduric organisms in some Queensland milk supplies has presented a problem in milk quality control work in this State. While health standards dictate that pasteurized milk shall contain not more than 50,000 organisms per millilitre, due attention must be paid to the numbers of organisms surviving pasteurization. A laboratory whirler which permits the rapid performance of thermoduric counts on milk supplies is described. The method is faster and more convenient than the orthodox roll-tube count and yet retains all the advantages of roll-tube counting.