Re: What method of testing for bacteria should I use?

Hello Alison,

If you want to just test for the bacteria if they are present then you can use the Agar plate technique.
Prepare Nutrient Agar plates (Agar, Yeast Extract and Peptone); you can also buy readymade Nutrient Agar plates if you find it difficult to prepare.

Then, swab surface of the cutting board with cotton and then place the cotton swab in sterile water. Mix the swab to get all the bacteria into solution, and then you can put little solution onto the agar plates to see if there are any bacteria present on your board.

If you want to identify bacteria to see if there is any presence of harmful bacteria on the cutting board, then the things become more complex.

There are many kits available which can be used to identify bacteria in water samples; see this for example: http://www.h2okits.com/site/1286521/product/QC%20Bacteria%20Test%20Kit

I hope this helps you!

Cheers,
Shashank

[Moderator's Note: Alison, you should take a look at the links in this recent answer on collecting and testing the growth of bacteria for more information about how to do the procedures that Shashank is describing. -- Steve Mack]