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ATP versus DipslidesTo get started, here are a couple of points to remember when dealing with ATP:
An ATP reading of a mixed culture is not expected to correlate with a specific plate method such as a bacterial dipslide because ATP measures a chemical found in all cells while a dipslide is a direct cell measurement and is a narrow view or a snapshot of specific microbes. Not all viable cells will grow and develop into visible colonies on a dip slide whereas they all will have ATP in them. Therefore, it is generally naive, technically irresponsible, and wrong to expect general correlations between dipslides and ATP except in the case of specially controlled genus, species, and growth phase. These conditions are never real world but rather only lab world. Studies and presentations performed on comparing dipslides and ATP that conclude that dipslides are superior or that ATP is inferior, simply shows the naivety of the investigator or a last ditch attempt to shore up dipslide sales lost to ATP being used as a new indicator of fouling. It is smarter to utilize both methods, the microbial method and the more general fouling index ATP method, for those who wish the best of both worlds. We espouse the correct use of ATP wherein it is used either as an index of fouling and trend line for cooling water, process waters, geothermal waters, oil production waters, clays, slurries and all non-food & beverage streams (the AMSA approach) or it is used as a "pass or fail" method as it has been used in the food and beverage for many years with good success. For some more basic information about ATP, please check out the following links:
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