What are the applications of pour plate technique?

The primary application of pour plate technique is for quantifying the number of colony-forming bacteria in a liquid sample. It involves mixing the sample with molten agar, allowing a larger volume to be utilized compared to the spread plate technique. This technique quantifies the total number of CFUs on the surface of the sodium medium. It is primarily used to count bacteria, but it can also isolate and count Actinobacteria, molds, and yeasts. Researchers also utilize the pour plate technique to create microbial growth curves and determine cell concentrations in specific samples. Additionally, it helps assess how different environmental and growth factors impact the rate of bacterial growth. Lastly, the pour plate method is used for isolating and counting microorganisms found in soil, aiding in the study of soil microflora.