ATP BIOLUMINESCENCE AS A RAPID MICROBIOLOGICAL METHOD

RESEARCH ARTICLE: ATP vs. TRADITIONAL METHODS

Tradional Methods
The traditional aerobic plate count is a time consuming process requiring a level of skill to prepare plates, take samples, and read results. Aerobic plate counts take at least two days to complete, with the potential result that food processed has reached the consumer before the test results are known. Traditional methods for cleanliness testing include visual inspection and the aerobic plate count. While visual inspection is inherently subjective, qualitative, and limited to the detection of only visible contamination, it does offer the advantage of instant, "real time' inspection. For quantitative detection, most quality assurance programs rely on 100 year old methodology, the traditional agar-based aerobic plate count. While other areas of the production process have been modernized and automated, many manufacturers continue to use traditional aerobic plate counts for cleanliness testing - a process introduced in the 19th century. As a cleaning test the aerobic plate count is limited in capabilities, for the test cannot detect the presence of organic residues which may not have been removed in an effective cleaning program; the aerobic plate count can only detect a limited range of micro-organisms. While aerobic plate counts can detect actual microbial contamination on production surfaces, this technology cannot detect the potential for microbial contamination hours later due to invisible organic food residues on production surfaces.

ATP Bioluminescence
The significant limitations of traditional methods, the heightened concern regarding food safety, and the need for better and more timely cleanliness testing have caused usage of ATP bioluminescence testing systems to increase significantly in recent years. Although ATP bioluminescence technology has been commercially available since the 1970's, only recently have advances in portable instrumentation and time stable reagent chemistry been achieved. With these advances, ATP bioluminescence has gained widespread acceptance in the food industry as processors find the technology provides significant benefits over traditional methods of cleanliness testing.

Bioluminescence is best known as the flash of light from the firefly's ail, which occurs when the enzyme luciferase comes into contact with he molecule ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is present in the cells of all living organisms. The amount of light produced is directly proportional to the amount of ATP present, and is measured by sensitive light meters (luminometers) and usually expressed in terms of Relative light Units (RLU).

The measurement of total ATP allows real time measurement of total biological residue, both microbial and food residue, on production surfaces to determine the potential for microbial contamination from surfaces that have not been properly cleaned. The entire test typically takes less than a minute to complete, thus becoming a "real time" test and allowing for immediate corrective action.

EXCERPT FROM: Hy-lite, Corp., A Portable Hygiene Monitor – USA

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