Hello,
I have been asked the following question countless times during my 30+ year career;
When plating environmental surface samples taken using a pre-moistened sponge or swab, what dilution do you consider 1ml of liquid pulled directly from the sample (sponge/swab) to be?
I have asked many colleagues this same question over the years and as recently as last week. I get a variety of "sympathetic" answers; Good question!, Let me know when you find out, etc. Some answers are more definitive; "It's a 0 dilution" or "It's a -1". And of course, everybody's favorite answer; "Well, it depends..."!
I'd like to poll this community; what dilution do you consider it, and...WHY. If anyone has any reliable/credible references, please provide links or attachments.
Don't be shy, my experience asking this question seems to indicate that there isn't a right or wrong answer!
I'll provide my answer and reasoning after the polling, I don't want to influence any input members may have.
I think this will be interesting, hopefully educational, and maybe even fun (if you're a micro-geek like me!).
Vickie