Handling <10 cfu/mL Results for Statistical Analysis

I enumerated coliform in surface samples using Hygiena MicroSnap® Coliform or E. coli which is measured using Hygiena luminometer. The machine displayed some results as <10cfu/mL of the samples. I hope this is just to indicated that no colonies were detected in the samples. My question is can I replace these values to 0 to calculate some statistical summaries such mean cfu etc?

Best,

Gech

<10cfu/ml is effectively a negative for most of these types of test.  Retain the test results showing <10cfu as your official record, but for analysis using Excel or other spreadsheets, you can effectively change these to 0's for a trend analysis and graphing purposes.

<10cfu/ml is effectively a negative for most of these types of test.  Retain the test results showing <10cfu as your official record, but for analysis using Excel or other spreadsheets, you can effectively change these to 0's for a trend analysis and graphing purposes.

Dear jfrey123,

Many thanks for this valuable and expertise suggestions.

Best,

Gech