The minimum number of separable cells on the surface of or in semi-solid agar medium which gives rise to a visible colony of progeny on the order of tens of millions of cells in number. CFUs may consist of pairs, chains and clusters as well as single cells.
A laboratory measure of fungal concentration, indicating the quantity of viable organisms collected for a given unit sample.
term used to enumerate bacteria by the plate count method. Colonies on a plate may arise from more than one colony, which makes CFU more correct that "number of organisms".
One or more cells that grow to form a single visible colony (CFU). (AIHA, 1996)
A microbiological term that describes the formation of a single macroscopic colony after the introduction of one or more microorganisms to microbiological growth media. One colony forming unit is expressed as 1 CFU.
A microorganism propagule (spore or cell) from which a colony has grown. For purposes of analysis, one CFU represents one viable organism.
An entity (usually a single living cell) which can form a colony on an agar plate or membrane.