Design and Implementation of an Automated Colony Counter Using Artificial Vision

Abstract

An automatic module for counting colony forming units (CFU) present in raw milk, and its analysed by an artificial vision algorithm was designed and implemented as the focus of this work. The purpose of the algorithm was to identify the total number of colonies present and its respective area, after a sample was plated in a selected agar media. The growth and evolution of the colonies with respect to time and a selected temperature could be studied. The results are shown by using a user interface. The designed device can be used not only for counting colonies, but also to obtain specific data when doing research in the area of food safety, among other areas of interest.

Keywords

• artificial vision
• automation
• colony forming units (CFU)
• petri dish
• raw milk