ATP Bioluminescence for Assessing the Efficacy of the Manual Cleaning Procedure during the Reprocessing of Reusable Surgical Instruments

Achieving sterilization by adopting proper practices is essential to ensure that surgical instruments do not transmit microorganisms to patients. As the effectiveness of sterilization mandates effective cleaning, it is necessary to verify the success of cleaning procedures. In this study, we used the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence method for assessing the efficacy of the manual cleaning procedure during the reprocessing of reusable surgical instruments. The ATP bioluminescence assay was performed on 140 surgical instruments of 12 different types, both before being cleaned (baseline) and after each of the cleaning procedures (i.e., decontamination, manual washing, drying, and visual inspection). For each instrument, two swabs were used as follows: one to sample the entire surface (test point 1) and the other to sample the most difficult part of the surface to clean (test point 2). Overall, for each type of instrument, there was a decrease in contamination ranging from 99.6 to >99.9% (log reduction from 2.40 to 3.76). Thus, in order to standardize the assessment of cleanliness, it may be useful to introduce the bioluminescence method into the daily routine or, at least, at regular time intervals as a complementary check combined with visual inspection. This would allow real-time verification of the achievement of an adequate level of cleanliness.

DETECTION OF BACTERIAL ETIOLOGY USING BIOLUMINESCENCE METHOD ON CUP LIDS DUE TO THE CHANGE IN THEIR FREQUENCY OF USE – SHORT COMMUNICATION

Nowadays, cup with a drink is an attribute of a modern consumer. It is used for hot drinks (e.g. coffee, tea, hot chocolate) and cold drinks (e.g. fruit juices). Currently, there is a noticeable tendency to replace disposable cups with one reusable cup. The barrier to their reuse (especially the mouthpiece on the lid), is the lack of knowledge about its microbiological state. The aim of the presented research was to estimate the risk of bacterial etiology occurrence on disposable and reused lids. The overall metabolic activity of microorganisms was assessed by measuring ATP using the bioluminescence method. Detection of microorganisms was carried out on the abiotic surface (PP / PS), both on the lids of disposable cups used once and repeatedly. Contact with the personnel's hands was also considered. The results of the experiment indicate that the contact of the lids with the personnel's hands is not a reason for the increasing amount of ATP. The highest amounts of ATP were observed on lids of cups used repeatedly.

An Adenosine Triphosphate Bioluminescence Method for Evaluating the Microbial Contamination of the Salad-Preparing Tables and Salad-Serving Dishes in Restaurants of Mashhad City, Iran

Introduction: Consumption of vegetable products is increasing commonly in the world because they are recognized as an important source of nutrients, vitamins, and fiber for humans. Salads are among the most widely used foods that are also known as the most contaminated foods in restaurants. This study was conducted to determine the microbial contamination of salad-preparing tables and salad-serving dishes. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at 39 restaurants in Mashhad City in Iran during 2017. In this regard, 78 samples were determined from the salad preparing tables and serving dishes. Samples were tested for cleanliness status using Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)-bioluminescence method as a rapid test. Results: According to the ATP bioluminescence device, 43.6% of the assessed dishes were clean, 38.5 % were dirty, and 17.9 % were not adequately clean. According to the results of ATP bioluminescence device for tables, 23.1 % of the tested tables passed the test, 15.4 % were classified in the caution status, and 61.5% failed. Conclusion: The ATP method has been widely used, especially in the food industry, as a rapid method for measuring general levels of cleanliness. However, this method is not a reliable replacement for measuring the microbial contamination. The ATP bioluminescence should not be used as a substitute for quantitation of microbial load.

APPLICATION OF THE ATP-BIOLUMINESCENCE METHOD TO ASSESS THE QUALITY OF SANITATION OF MILKING EQUIPMENT

The article presents the results of determining the relationship between the total microbial number and microbial ATP on the surface of milking equipment before and after treatment with neutral anolyte ANK-SUPER. The possibility of using the ATP-bioluminescence method to control the quality of sanitation of milking equipment on dairy farms is shown. Laboratory studies revealed a proportional relationship between the level of bacterial ATP and the number of bacteria on the surface of milking equipment before and after sanitation.

ATP MONITORING AS AN EXPRESS METHOD TO DETERMINE OBJECT CONTAMINATION

The article presents the results of indication of water and surface contamination. The researches were aimed at estimation of water safety and sanitary-hygienic condition of surfaces. To study the contamination of water samples and common surfaces, we used the traditional method and the bioluminescence-based express method. The bioluminescence method is based on determining the total amount of ATP (bacterial, somatic and extracellular) on contact surfaces and in water. The level of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) was determined using the Lumitester PD-30 (Kikkoman, Japan) luminometer device according to the manufacturer's instructions, using special test systems. The ATP bioluminescence method is commercially more available for simple and quick monitoring of the sanitary-hygienic control effectiveness according to the HACCP principles or international requirements. The traditional method of determining water (and other material) contamination was performed by inoculating water or surface wiping on a common nutrient medium and further cultivation under appropriate conditions. The strongest glowing reaction was observed in sea water, which can be explained by the presence of organic substances in it, while the bioluminescence values in potable (bottled) and filtered water tests were most close to control test. The results of testing the sanitary-hygienic condition of surfaces showed that the amount of adenosine triphosphate exceeded the limits in almost all tested objects. However, a slight exceeding of adenosine triphosphate level was observed on the internal surface of new (plastic) food containers. The investigations performed show that the bioluminescence-based express method can be used as a primary control that gives immediate information about the contamination of both surfaces and liquids. Using the bioluminescence method can shorten the time of the study and therefore reduce the cost of the test. However, when determination of qualitative and quantitative composition of the tested object’s microbiota is necessary, then the classical microbiological control must be performed.