colony-forming unit (CFU)

A Colony-forming unit (CFU) is a measurement used in microbiology to estimate the number of viable bacteria or fungal cells in a sample. When microorganisms are cultured in a lab, each CFU represents the ability of a single cell to grow into a visible colony. This unit helps scientists and healthcare professionals assess the concentration of microorganisms in food, water, or clinical samples, which is important for determining safety, quality, and potential health risks. Essentially, CFUs provide a standardized way to gauge microbial presence and activity.