Covariant cosmological perturbation dynamics in the inflationary universe

The linear cosmological perturbation theory of almost homogeneous and isotropic perfect fluid and scalar field universes is reconsidered and formally simplified. Using the existence of a covariant conserved quantity on large perturbation scales, a closed integral expression for comoving energy density perturbations is obtained for arbitrary equations of state. On this basis we establish a simple relation between fluid energy density perturbations at `reentry' into the horizon and the corresponding scalar field quantities at the first Hubble scale crossing during an early de Sitter phase of a standard inflationary scenario.