Ta. Green et al., Effect of chemical cleaning agents and commercial sanitizers on ATP bioluminescence measurements, J FOOD PROT, 62(1), 1999, pp. 86-90
Nine chemical cleaning agents at three concentrations were studied to deter
mine the effect on ATP bioluminescence measurements from pure ATP (PATP) an
d ATP from chicken exudate (CJATP). The nine commercial cleaning and saniti
zing chemicals were concentrated foaming acid (FA), acid sanitizer (AS), io
dine cleaner-disinfectant (ZI), alkaline cleaner-degreaser (PC), chlorinate
d alkaline cleaner (CA), chlorinated sanitizer (CS), quaternary ammonium (Q
A), antibiofilm agent (AB), and acidic peroxygen sanitizer (HP). Effect was
reported as a percent change from the log(10) relative light unit (LRLU) m
easurements of the control groups. All cleaners and sanitizers were tested
at one-tenth of the manufacturer's recommended level (MRL), MRL, and two ti
mes MRL. FA, PC, and CA at all three concentrations significantly decreased
PATP and CJATP LRLU. AS decreased PATP and CJATP LRLU at 200 and 400 ppm q
uaternary ammonium. ZI decreased PATP LRLU at MRL or greater, while CJATP L
RLU were decreased by all concentrations of ZI tested. CS decreased PATP LR
LU in a dose-dependant manner; however, for CJATP, LRLU decreased slightly
at the two lower concentrations but were not affected by 1,200 ppm CS. QA a
t MRL or above for PATP or at all concentrations for CJATP significantly in
creased LRLU. AB decreased LRLU at all concentrations tested for PATP or at
MRL or greater for CJATP. HPA at MRL or greater for PATP or at all concent
rations for CJATP significantly reduced LRLU. These results demonstrate tha
t commercial sanitizers and cleansers may squelch or increase LRLU measurem
ents when the chemical comes into direct contact with the ATP bioluminescen
ce reagents. Hence, when using ATP bioluminescence as a means of determinin
g sanitary quality of food-processing equipment, it is essential to conside
r the type and concentration of chemical cleaner or sanitizer being used on
the equipment prior to testing.