Effect of chemical cleaning agents and commercial sanitizers on ATP bioluminescence measurements

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.