Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) Count Testing
Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) are Gram-positive, non-spore-forming, facultative anaerobes that play a central role in food fermentation, preservation, and probiotic functionality. LAB Count Testing quantifies viable LAB populations in food, beverage, and supplement matrices to ensure product quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Why It’s Important
- Fermentation Monitoring: Tracks microbial activity in yogurt, cheese, pickles, and sourdough.
- Probiotic Verification: Confirms CFU levels of beneficial strains like Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, and Bifidobacterium.
- Shelf-Life Assessment: Evaluates LAB viability over time in refrigerated or ambient storage.
- Spoilage Detection: Identifies overgrowth in RTE meats, sauces, or vacuum-packed foods.
- Regulatory Compliance: Supports label claims and meets standards from FSSAI, Codex, EFSA, and FDA.
Sample Types
- Fermented dairy (yogurt, kefir, cheese)
- Plant-based fermented foods (kimchi, sauerkraut, tempeh)
- Probiotic supplements (capsules, sachets)
- Beverages (kombucha, vinegar, fermented juices)
- RTE meats, seafood, and sauces
Testing Methods
- Culture-Based Enumeration:
- Plating on MRS agar or Petrifilm® LAB Count Plates under anaerobic or microaerophilic conditions
- Incubation at 30–37°C for 48–72 hours
- Reported as CFU/g or CFU/mL
- Molecular Confirmation (Optional):
- qPCR or 16S rRNA sequencing for strain-level identification
- Used in probiotic validation or spoilage investigations
- Rapid Methods:
- Petrifilm® LAB Plates offer self-contained anaerobic environments and faster workflows.
Standards & Accreditation
- Reference Methods: ISO 15214, ISO 7889, AOAC, FDA BAM
- Turnaround Time: 2–5 working days
- Reporting Format: Digital COA with CFU values, media used, incubation conditions, and interpretive notes
- Accreditation: Performed under ISO/IEC 17025-compliant protocols
Leading food testing laboratory ensuring safety and quality in the food industry.
Contact Us
9341 E.Childs Ave., Planada, CA 95365, USA.
operations@fsa-lab.com
info@fsa-lab.com
support@fsa-lab.com
Office 1 : (209) 877 8728 Office 2 : (209) 877 8729