ATP test

The ATP test is a process of rapidly measuring actively growing microorganisms through detection of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP.

Method

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ATP is a molecule found in and around living cells, and as such it gives a direct measure of biological concentration and health. ATP is quantified by measuring the light produced through its reaction with the naturally occurring firefly enzyme luciferase using a luminometer. The amount of light produced is directly proportional to the amount of ATP present in the sample.

ATP tests can be used to:

  • Control biological treatment reactors
  • Guide biocide dosing programs
  • Determine drinking water cleanliness
  • Manage fermentation processes
  • Assess soil activity
  • Determine corrosion / deposit process type
  • Measure equipment or product sanitation

1st-generation testing vs. 2nd-generation testing

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1st-generation ATP tests are derived from hygiene monitoring uses where samples are relatively free of interferences. 2nd-generation tests are specifically designed for water, wastewater and industrial applications where, for the most part, samples contain a variety of components that can interfere with the ATP assay.

How ATP is measured

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ATP is a molecule found only in and around living cells, and as such it gives a direct measure of biological concentration and health. ATP is quantified by measuring the light produced through its reaction with the naturally-occurring firefly enzyme luciferase using a luminometer. The amount of light produced is directly proportional to the amount of biological energy present in the sample.

Within a water sample containing microorganisms, there are two types of ATP:

  • Intracellular ATP – ATP contained within living biological cells.
  • Extracellular ATP – ATP located outside of biological cells that has been released from dead or stressed organisms.

Accurate measurement of these two types of ATP is critical to utilizing ATP-based measurements. Being able to accurately measure these different types of ATP offers the ability to assess biological health and activity, and subsequently control water and wastewater processes.

See also

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References

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https://meridian.allenpress.com/jfp/article/81/5/729/175086/Development-of-a-Novel-Hygiene-Monitoring-System

https://meridian.allenpress.com/jfp/article/85/7/1079/481183/A-Comprehensive-Analysis-of-ATP-Tests-Practical

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