
A method of detecting and quantifying viable cells in a sample. The method includes fluorescently staining the cells by adding a fluorescent dye into the sample or putting the sample in contact with the fluorescent dye. A quenching dye is then added to the stained sample, or the sample is put into contact with the quenching dye, at a pH different from the pH in the viable cells. The quenching dye used is permeable through the membrane of a viable cell and does not readily absorb fluorescence of ...











