A simple, quantitative assay for the detection of viable but non-culturable (VBNC) bacteria.

This protocol determines the fraction of a bacterial population that is viable and culturable, viable and non-culturable, or non-viable (dead). Each population is detected by isolating colonies on agar plates, performing direct counts, and staining for live or dead cells. Its application is limited to bacteria that are stainable and when permissible growth conditions are known. The quantitative data extracted allow for the detection of a viable but non-culturable (alive and non-dividing) population from a liquid culture. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Stott et al. (2015).