University Study Findings Indicate Why Your ATP Test May Not Be Working
ATP hygiene monitoring tests are one of the most commonly used methods to verify cleaning effectiveness. This is because they are simple, easy-to-use, and provide immediate results. The principle of the test takes advantage of the assumption that changes in ATP are proportional to the degree of residual contamination remaining on food processing surfaces or equipment. If cleaning is ineffective, ATP-containing organic debris from food can be detected on both food processing surfaces or equipment. ATP tests are used by food processors in nearly every processing category, and experts estimate that more than 50 million tests are conducted every year worldwide.
Principle of ATP Testing
The mechanism of action of ATP tests involves the reaction of ATP with firefly luciferin—a light-emitting compound found in fireflies. The amount of light produced is proportional to the amount of ATP in a sample and is measured in relative light units (RLU) using a luminometer.