BACTERIA COUNTING METHOD AND BACTERIA COUNTER

摘要

A method for counting bacteria comprising the steps of extracting ATP in bacteria from bacteria in solvent flow, touching the ATP in bacteria thus extracted to liquid emitting light under the presence of ATP in bacteria, measuring an optical signal generated by the contact by at least one light detecting means provided at the touching part of the light emitting liquid and the ATP in bacteria or on the downstream side thereof, and then counting bacteria based on the intensity of the measured optical signal, characterized in that a threshold level is set and bacteria is counted by assuming the number of times when the intensity of measured optical signal exceeds the threshold level as the number of bacteria. A method for counting bacteria and a bacteria counter capable of counting bacteria quickly and conveniently with high accuracy can thereby be provided.