They are heavily used in many microbiology-related industries and fields to culture various micro-organisms and are meant to be a more efficient method for detection and enumeration compared to conventional plating techniques.

[1][2] In some cases, Petrifilms were more sensitive in detection than standard microbiology methods, other than the case that a higher sensitivity could possibly lead to an increased risk of false positive results.

[3] First, a sample must be prepared through standard weighing and serial dilution, with stomaching and pH adjustment if necessary.

Next, to inoculate, the top layer is lifted to expose the plating surface, and with a pipette, 1mL of the diluted sample is added.

Picking out individual colonies for interpretation can also be done because the top film can be lifted quite effortlessly to expose the gel.