What is ATP bioluminescence assay?

What is ATP bioluminescence assay?

ATP bioluminescence detects the amount of ATP, which is an indirect measurement of the amount of organic/food residue on a surface that has the potential to support microbial growth and also microbial biomass. In simple terms, it measures the dirt or filth on a surface indicating the need for cleaning and sanitizing.

How does a bioluminescence assay work?

The ATP bioluminescence assay works by exposing a sample of cells to the enzyme luciferase and the substrate luciferin. Because the luciferase reaction relies on ATP, only living cells in the sample would produce a bioluminescent signal. Alternatively, in the case of dead cells, cell metabolism is disrupted.

What is ATP assay?

ATP assays are procedures that can measure cell viability based on detection of ATP. All living cells, including bacteria, can be detected with ATP assays. Several detection methods can be used, such as colorimetric, fluorescent and bioluminescent.

Is ATP testing accurate?

When used correctly, ATP tests can be an accurate representation of cleanliness. However, ATP tests are not able to test for the following: Viruses. ATP tests are not a good indication of whether viruses are still on a surface because viruses aren’t living cells.

Why are ATP bioluminescence tests conducted?

Environmental cleaning practice plays an important role in reducing microbial contamination in hospital surfaces and contributes to prevent Healthcare Associated Infections. Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay is a commonly used method for assessing environmental cleanliness on healthcare surfaces.

How do you test for bioluminescence?

The bioluminescence emitted can be detected and amplified using specialized cameras with highly sensitive detection systems [18], revealing the sites and levels of luciferase expression and activity from within a living animal.

How efficient is bioluminescence?

Bioluminescence results from a chemical reaction (chemiluminescence) in which the conversion of chemical energy to radiant energy is direct and virtually 100 percent efficient; i.e., very little heat is given off in the process.

How do you detect ATP?

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.

How reliable are ATP bioluminescence meters?

In summary, these results suggest that ATP meters cannot be relied upon to evaluate the effective disinfection of a healthcare surface and in particular, cannot be used as a tool to compare the effectiveness of disinfection between different disinfectants.

What is a good ATP score?

ATP test standards For food preparation surfaces, anything above a score of 10 is considered dirty. Any score below 10 is considered clean.

How do I capture bioluminescence on my phone?

Use a high ISO setting and a wide aperture of f/2.8 (or as low as you can go) to allow as much light to come through and hit the sensor. Fire your exposure as the wave comes towards you, and as the camera is taking the long exposure you’ll capture the bioluminescence at its best when the wave breaks.