ABSTRACT
The field of rapid methods and automation in microbiology is exciting. This chapter reviews the basic principles and practical applications of a variety of instruments directly and indirectly related to improved methods for microbiology in quality assurance and research in food science and technology. Applied microbiologists are always interested in developing procedures and methods for the early isolation, detection, characterization, and enumeration of microorganisms and their products in clinical, food, industrial, and environmental samples. The search for rapid methods started almost immediately with the development of applied microbiology at the turn of the century. The laser counter is also designed to count colonies on conventional agar plates, making the instrument very versatile in a food microbiology laboratory. Miniaturized methods for studying food yeast were also developed in the author's laboratory. Motility enrichment is a very interesting concept in rapid isolation and identification of food pathogens.
