GOST 10444.11-2013 PDF

Full title and description

GOST 10444.11-2013 — "Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs. Methods for detection and enumeration of mesophilic lactic acid bacteria" (Russian: «Микробиология пищевых продуктов и кормов для животных. Методы выявления и подсчета количества мезофильных молочнокислых микроорганизмов»). The standard specifies laboratory methods for detecting and counting viable mesophilic lactic acid bacteria in foodstuffs and animal feeds and provides guidance on media, incubation, enumeration and basic confirmation procedures.

Abstract

This national standard (adopted on 22 November 2013 and published as GOST 10444.11-2013) establishes horizontal microbiological methods for the detection and quantitative determination of mesophilic lactic acid bacteria in foods and feeds. It updates and replaces earlier national methods (including GOST 10444.11-89) and is aligned with the international reference method for enumeration of mesophilic lactic acid bacteria. The document covers sample preparation references, plating and most-probable-number (MPN) techniques, incubation conditions, colony morphology notes and minimal confirmation tests (Gram stain, catalase, motility).

General information

• Status: Active / current national standard (GOST).
• Publication date: Adopted by Rosstandart 22 November 2013; referenced publication/implementation dates commonly shown as 2013–2015 (official designation: GOST 10444.11-2013).
• Publisher: Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology (Rosstandart) / national standards bodies; commercial distributors and standards libraries publish copies in Russian and translated editions.
• ICS / categories: Food microbiology and dairy products (ICS/ОКС area: 07.100.x / 67.100.10 depending on national classification equivalents).
• Edition / version: Edition GOST 10444.11-2013 (replaces GOST 10444.11-89); has received amendments and corrigenda published subsequently.
• Number of pages: Typically published as ca. 18–20 pages (varies by publisher/format).

Scope

Applies to food products and animal feeding stuffs where enumeration or detection of mesophilic lactic acid bacteria is required — for example, fresh and fermented dairy products, some processed foods, starter cultures and production-environment samples. The standard defines methods suitable for samples with typical ranges of lactic acid bacteria, gives procedural steps for sample preparation (by reference to standard sample‑preparation documents), inoculation, incubation and counting, and provides basic criteria for colony recognition and simple confirmation tests.

Key topics and requirements

• Target organisms: mesophilic lactic acid bacteria (general groups such as Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, Streptococcus spp. relevant to food spoilage and fermentation).
• Primary methods: colony-count techniques on agar media (pour-plate and surface plating) and most-probable-number (MPN) methods where appropriate.
• Culture media and conditions: recommendations for commonly used media (e.g., MRS-type media and other lactic-acid-bacteria-selective media) and incubation at mesophilic temperatures (commonly near 30 °C) with defined incubation times.
• Sample preparation: dilution and homogenization procedures referenced to general microbiological sample-preparation standards to ensure representative suspensions and correct dilutions for plating or MPN.
• Enumeration and interpretation: colony-count rules, acceptable plate count ranges, calculation of counts (including weighted means), rounding and reporting formats.
• Confirmation and identification: simple confirmation assays such as Gram staining, catalase test and observation of colony morphology; guidance on when further identification may be required.
• Quality and laboratory practice: requirements/references for laboratory equipment, sterile technique, media preparation, incubation control and record-keeping; references to general microbiology practice standards.

Typical use and users

Used by food and feed microbiology laboratories, dairy and fermented-food manufacturers, quality control and assurance teams, regulatory and inspection bodies, research laboratories and standards organizations. Typical applications include routine quality control checks, investigation of spoilage, verification of starter-culture levels, validation of production hygiene and compliance testing against product specifications or regulatory limits.

Related standards

GOST 10444.11-2013 is part of the GOST food‑microbiology series and references several related documents for sample preparation and general laboratory practice (for example GOST 10444.0/10444.1 series and national equivalents). It is aligned with the international method ISO 15214 (Horizontal method for the enumeration of mesophilic lactic acid bacteria — colony‑count technique at 30 °C) and commonly used alongside standards such as ISO 7218 (general requirements for microbiological examination), ISO/IEC laboratory practice documents and specific GOST/ISO methods for sample preparation, yeast & mould enumeration, and other microbial tests used in food control.

Keywords

lactic acid bacteria, mesophilic, enumeration, colony count, MPN, MRS agar, food microbiology, feed microbiology, GOST 10444 series, ISO 15214, dairy, starter cultures, microbial spoilage

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: GOST 10444.11-2013 is a Russian national standard that specifies methods for detecting and enumerating mesophilic lactic acid bacteria in foodstuffs and animal feeds.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers laboratory procedures for sample preparation (by reference), inoculation onto agar media (pour and surface techniques), most-probable-number (MPN) approaches where applicable, incubation conditions, colony counting rules, basic confirmation tests and notes on colony appearance for mesophilic lactic acid bacteria.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Food/feed microbiology laboratories, dairy and fermented‑food manufacturers, quality control teams, regulatory agencies and research laboratories use it for routine testing, product release, troubleshooting spoilage and ensuring compliance with microbiological specifications.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2013 edition (GOST 10444.11-2013) replaced earlier national versions (for example GOST 10444.11-89). It remains in force as the national method; users should confirm local regulatory acceptance and check for any later amendments, corrigenda or harmonized interstate standards before use.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. It belongs to the GOST 10444 series of microbiological methods for food and animal feeding stuffs; those documents include related methods for sample preparation, enumeration of other microbial groups and general laboratory requirements. It is also linked to the international ISO family of food microbiology methods (notably ISO 15214 for enumeration of mesophilic lactic acid bacteria).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Lactic acid bacteria; mesophilic; enumeration; colony count; MPN; MRS; food microbiology; feed microbiology; GOST 10444.11-2013; ISO 15214.