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Frequently Asked Questions - Clean-Trace & ATP Monitoring

October 18, 2023

What is ATP?ATP is a substance that living things use to store energy. It is found not only in animals and plants, but also in processed foods. It is called ATP from the acronym for adenosine triphosphate.
What kind of test is an ATP test?This is a cleanliness test that makes invisible cleaning residue visible using ATP as an indicator. After washing and cleaning, instruments and hands are wiped with a swab, which reacts with the reagent and emits light. Then, the amount of light emitted is measured with a measuring device and digitized. The higher the number, the higher the amount of ATP, and it can be determined that there is more dirt. An inspection method is also included in the Food Sanitation Inspection Guidelines as a system that allows you to instantly know if there is any food left unwashed.
What do the numbers obtained from the ATP test mean?The amount of light generated in response to the amount of ATP is expressed in units called RLU. RLU stands for Relative Light Unit and represents the relative amount of light. A large RLU value means a large amount of ATP (a lot of leftovers), and a small RLU value means a small amount of ATP (little leftovers). The RLU value is displayed as a numerical value specific to the measurement device.
What are the features of ATP testing?A major feature is that it can easily and instantly detect cleaning failures that cause food deterioration. Since the results can be obtained on the spot after the test, it is possible to take corrective measures such as re-cleaning immediately, and it is also effective as hygiene education. It is also suitable for monitoring applications because it has higher sensitivity than visual confirmation and provides objective data.
Are there any stains that cannot be detected by ATP testing?Since it detects ATP, it cannot detect dirt that does not contain ATP, such as inorganic substances. In addition, the amount of ATP varies greatly depending on the ingredients, so there are some stains that are difficult to detect. However, in most cases when it is dirty, various substances are mixed together.
Is it possible to test the number of bacteria using an ATP test?It is not possible to test the number of bacteriIt also cannot be used for sterility testing. The ATP swab test detects both food-derived ATP and microbial-derived ATP. Depending on the amount of ATP, it is possible to judge whether the overall amount of dirt is large or small and whether the environment is hygienic or not. It is not possible to know individually. In addition, the amount of ATP varies greatly depending on the type of food and microorganism, and the amount of ATP in microorganisms is very small compared to the amount of ATP in food (animal cells and plant cells), so it is impossible to examine the presence or absence of microorganisms.
Is there a correlation between ATP test results and bacterial counts?Generally, there is no correlation. When a pure cultured bacterial solution is directly reacted with a measurement reagent, the number of bacteria and the amount of ATP are almost proportional, but in an actual environment, a variety of foods and microorganisms exist, so no correlation can be obtained. .
In what types of industries is ATP testing used?It is widely used for hygiene management and hygiene guidance in food manufacturing factories, retail stores, etc. In food factories, we have a track record in the production lines of meat processing, seafood processing, prepared foods, seasonings, milk/dairy products, beverages, etc., and in stores, in supermarkets, fast food, restaurants, and many other food handling sites. Recently, its use in medical settings has also become widespread.
Where is ATP testing used?Wipe inspections can be used for a variety of purposes, including inspections of cooking utensils such as knives and cutting boards, inspections of production equipment such as belt conveyors and tanks, inspections of the surrounding environment such as door handles and faucets, and inspections of workers' hand washing. It is used to target locations. In addition, liquid inspection is used for cleaning water, circulating water, etc.
Do I need to wet the UXL100 swab with water?No. UXL100 has a wet swab, so you can wipe it with tap water without getting it wet. Therefore, there is no need to consider background fluctuations due to tap water.
How should I wipe it off?Wipe while applying enough force to make the swab bend. Rotate the swab midway through so that the entire swab is used for swabbing.
How much area should I wipe?In the case of a flat surface, wiping is generally done in a 10cm square areWhen wiping small instruments, etc., always use a consistent wiping method, such as wiping the entire area evenly. An example of how to wipe your hands is to wipe the palm and fingers of your dominant hand in a radial pattern, then wipe between the fingers.
Does the temperature of the wiped surface affect the measurement?Even if the temperature of the swab surface is high, the temperature of the swab after wiping will be low, so it will not have a big effect. The optimal operating temperature for the UXL100 is 15-25°C, and the measured values ​​tend to be lower at lower temperatures. Remove reagents from the refrigerator at least 10 minutes in advance and allow them to come to room temperature before use. Also, when performing inspections in environments with low temperatures, there will be no problem if you always measure at a constant temperature.
Can I leave the UXL100 after wiping it without reacting?In the case of the UXL100, if you are unable to take measurements immediately, you can leave the swab in place for up to 4 hours by not pushing it in all the way and leaving it in the same position before pulling it out. Measure immediately after reacting the reagents. If you wait too long, the amount of light emitted will decrease and the measured value will be lower.
Is it necessary to re-clean the areas that have been wiped with UXL100?No. There is generally no need to reclean.
Is it possible for the measured value to be 0RLU?The reading will never be 0RLU due to reagent background.
How should I dispose of UXL100?The product is primarily composed of plastic. Please dispose of it in accordance with the regulations of each local government. Also, there is no need for sterilization.
What reagents are used in UXL100?The liquid reagents in the tube include luciferin, luciferase, etc. The swab also contains a moisturizer and a surfactant. Please check the SDS for details. ( Available from SDS search )
What is the shelf life of UXL100?10 months after manufacturing. A label with the expiry date printed on it is attached to the inner bag. Store refrigerated (2-8℃) and use as soon as possible after opening the inner bag. It can also be used for 28 days when transported and stored in aluminum foil packaging at temperatures below 21°C.
Does the temperature of the liquid being tested affect the measurement?The optimal operating temperature for AQT200 is 15-25℃, and the measured values ​​tend to be lower at lower temperatures. Remove reagents from the refrigerator at least 10 minutes in advance and allow them to come to room temperature before use. Additionally, when performing inspections in environments with low temperatures, there is no problem as long as measurements are always taken at a constant temperature.
Can I leave the AQT200 that has sampled liquid without reacting?No. React the reagents immediately and measure.
How should I dispose of AQT200?The product is primarily composed of plastic. Please dispose of it in accordance with the regulations of each local government. Also, there is no need for sterilization.
How long does AQT200 last?12 months after manufacture. A label with the expiry date printed on it is attached to the inner bag. Store refrigerated (2-8℃) and use as soon as possible after opening the inner bag. It can also be used for up to 2 months when transported and stored in aluminum foil packaging at temperatures below 25°C.
Is AQT200 a sterile product?Although it is not sterile, it is manufactured in a clean environment and the possibility of microbial contamination from the reagent is extremely low.
What kind of reagents are used in AQT200?The solid reagents in the tube include luciferin, luciferase, etc. The liquid in the tube is a buffer. Please check the SDS for details. ( Available from SDS search )
How should I carry the AQT200?There is no problem in carrying it around at room temperature for a short period of time. However, please avoid direct sunlight and avoid high temperatures. If there is a possibility of high temperatures, please use a cooler box, etc.
Can AQT200 be frozen?No. The reagent may deteriorate and accurate values ​​may not be obtained.
Can AQT200 be used with measuring equipment from other companies?It can also be used with Biotrace's older products Uni-Lite, Uni-Lite Xcel, and Uni-Lite NG. However, the measurement results may not be the same. It cannot be used with other measuring devices.
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