ATP test
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The ATP test is a process of rapidly measuring actively growing microorganisms through detection of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP.
ATP testing method
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 living organisms 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
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
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.
Limitations of ATP testing
The correlation of detectable ATP as an indicator of live cells has been proven in numerous studies, however the following conditions impact the accuracy of ATP testing.
- Dirt or soils which obscure sampled surfaces.
- Biofilm made by colonized bacteria which shield cells from acquisition by swabbing.
- Bacteria on surfaces that are not sampled by the swab.
- Swab contact with live human cells from hands, or body fluids.
- Presence of beneficial bacteria found in food production.