Caged ATP - an internal calibration method for ATP bioluminescence assays

ATP bioluminescence, based on the firefly luciferase system, is used for th e rapid determination of hygienic practices in the food industry This study has demonstrated the use of caged ATP as an internal ATP standard and quan tified the effects of industrial cleansing solutions, alcoholic beverages a nd pH on firefly luciferase activity. The light signal was quenched 6-47% b y five cleansing solutions at standard working concentrations. Ethanol at 1 % (v/v) inhibited bioluminescence by 15% (w/v) whereas concentrations above 4% enhanced the light output. The light signal mas quenched by 20-25% at p H values below pH4 and above pH10.