Using ATP tests for assessment of hygiene risks

Adenosine-5’-triphosphate (ATP) is a high-energy molecule playing a role of universal energy carrier used in cell metabolism. Since ATP is present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, this coenzyme can be used to determine a hygiene state. During last decade there has been a significant growth of practical applications of ATP measurements. ATP tests are commonly used for an assessment of hygienic conditions in food industry, residential buildings and hotels. In comparison with traditional and time-consuming laborious microbial analysis the measurement of ATP provides a quick indicative on-site data, characterizing microbial and organic contamination to support decision-making with regards to adequate corrective and preventive actions. This paper demonstrates applications of ATP in practice and, particularly, in water treatment technology and wastewater processing. The review highlights opportunities for using the test for the optimization of water treatment facilities and pipe networks functioning in order to assess wastewater toxicity and wastewater treatment process efficiency. Other areas of application are also addressed. The review of literature indicates that ATP used in different areas of industry can be considered as a diagnostic method - complement the classical methods - useful for identification of hygiene risks as well as a tool for a real-time management of health and environmental risks.