Viable cell count

Viable cell count refers to the number of living cells in a sample, often used in microbiology to assess the health of bacteria, yeast, or other microorganisms. This measurement helps determine if the cells can grow and reproduce, which is important in various fields like medicine, food safety, and biotechnology. Techniques such as culturing cells on agar plates or using dyes that only stain dead cells help scientists count the viable cells accurately. Understanding viable cell count is essential for ensuring the effectiveness of pharmaceuticals, the safety of food products, and the success of fermentation processes.