Total Aerobic Plate Count

Total Aerobic Plate Count (TAPC)

The Total Aerobic Plate Count (TAPC) is a microbiological testing method used to estimate the total number of viable aerobic microorganisms—such as bacteria, yeast, and mold—present in a given sample. TAPC provides an overall measure of microbial load and is widely used to assess the quality and safety of food, water, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and other products.

In the TAPC method, a sample is diluted in a sterile diluent and plated onto a nutrient agar medium that supports the growth of a broad range of aerobic microorganisms. After incubation, the colony-forming units (CFUs) that grow on the plates are counted. Results are expressed as CFUs per unit volume or weight of the original sample.

TAPC is not a targeted test and does not distinguish between harmful and non-harmful microorganisms. Instead, it serves as a general indicator of overall microbial quality. When elevated counts occur, additional testing may be required to identify specific organisms of concern.

Common methods used for Total Aerobic Plate Count include:

• USP <61>

• USP <2021>

• EP 2.6.12

At Unicorn Analytical, we provide accurate and reliable Total Aerobic Plate Count testing to support product quality, regulatory compliance, and safety assurance.

Contact us today to discuss how Unicorn Analytical can help with your TAPC testing needs!