摘要 |
A culture material is formed containing a water-soluble polymer layer and a porous matrix layer arranged such that when water is applied to the surface of the matrix layer the water diffuses through the matrix layer to dissolve the water-soluble polymer layer which then gradually penetrates into the matrix layer to form a single layer for use as a culture medium on which a microorganism can be grown to form colonies. The water-soluble polymer layer or water added to the matrix layer can contain nutrients for the microorganism, and the microorganism can be added with the water. The culture material has a water content of not more than 50%, and is sufficiently insoluble in water such that it substantially holds its original shape for at least 30 minutes when in contact with water having a temperature of not more than 50° C. The culture medium produced by adding water to the culture material may be used for quantitative or semi-quantitative determination of microorganisms that may be present in a sample such as obtained from food.
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