Abstract: An apparatus and kit for the detection of ATP in a liquid sample is provided. The apparatus and kit comprise a liquid reagent composition comprising luciferin and a sampling device having a sampling portion and a handling portion. The sampling portion is adapted to acquire and releasably retain a predetermined volume of a liquid sample in one or more cavity that is not substantially defined by space between a plurality of fibers. The sampling device comprises a dry coating that includes an effective amount of a pH-adjusting reagent that, when contacted with a liquid reagent composition having a pH of about 6.8 or lower, changes the pH of the liquid reagent composition to 6.9 or higher. A method of use of the apparatus or kit is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses and kits for the detection of ATP in a liquid sample are provided. The apparatuses and kits comprise a liquid reagent composition comprising luciferin and a sampling device having a sampling portion and a handling portion. The sampling portion comprises a fibrous or a foam material and is adapted to acquire and releasably retain a predetermined volume of a liquid sample or a sample of residue from a surface. The sampling device comprises a dry coating or a liquid coating, the coating including an effective amount of a pH-adjusting reagent that, when contacted with a liquid reagent composition having a pH 6.8 or lower, changes the pH of the liquid reagent composition to 6.9 or higher. Methods of use of the apparatus or kit are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus (1000) and kit (1000) for the detection of ATP in a liquid sample is provided. The apparatus and kit comprise a liquid reagent composition comprising luciferin and a sampling device having (100) a sampling portion (30) and a handling portion (20). The sampling portion (30) is adapted to acquire and releasably retain a predetermined volume of a liquid sample in one or more cavity (32) that is not substantially defined by space between a plurality of fibers. The sampling device (30) comprises a dry coating that includes an effective amount of a pH-adjusting reagent that, when contacted with a liquid reagent composition having a pH of about 6.8 or lower, changes the pH of the liquid reagent composition to 6.9 or higher. A method of use of the apparatus or kit is also provided.

Abstract: A kit for detecting bacterial ATP in a sample is provided. The kit comprises an aqueous composition having a pH of about 6.0 to 7.2. The aqueous composition comprises effective amounts of a polyol, a buffer reagent, a protein, and ATP-diphosphohydrolase. A method of using the kit to detect bacterial ATP is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and kit for the detection of ATP in a liquid sample is provided. The apparatus and kit comprise a liquid reagent composition comprising luciferin and a sampling device having a sampling portion and a handling portion. The sampling portion is adapted to acquire and releasably retain a predetermined volume of a liquid sample in one or more cavity that is not substantially defined by space between a plurality of fibers. The sampling device comprises a dry coating that includes an effective amount of a pH-adjusting reagent that, when contacted with a liquid reagent composition having a pH of about 6.8 or lower, changes the pH of the liquid reagent composition to 6.9 or higher. A method of use of the apparatus or kit is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses and kits for the detection of ATP in a liquid sample are provided. The apparatuses and kits comprise a liquid reagent composition comprising luciferin and a sampling device having a sampling portion and a handling portion. The sampling portion comprises a fibrous or a foam material and is adapted to acquire and releasably retain a predetermined volume of a liquid sample or a sample of residue from a surface. The sampling device comprises a dry coating or a liquid coating, the coating including an effective amount of a pH-adjusting reagent that, when contacted with a liquid reagent composition having a pH 6.8 or lower, changes the pH of the liquid reagent composition to 6.9 or higher. Methods of use of the apparatus or kit are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses and kits for the detection of ATP in a liquid sample are provided. The apparatuses and kits comprise a liquid reagent composition comprising luciferin and a sampling device having a sampling portion and a handling portion. The sampling portion comprises a fibrous or a foam material and is adapted to acquire and releasably retain a predetermined volume of a liquid sample or a sample of residue from a surface. The sampling device comprises a dry coating or a liquid coating, the coating including an effective amount of a pH-adjusting reagent that, when contacted with a liquid reagent composition having a pH 6.8 or lower, changes the pH of the liquid reagent composition to 6.9 or higher. Methods of use of the apparatus or kit are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an assay method for the detection of viable microbial cells in a sample, the assay method comprising the steps of: i) adding an ATP degrading enzyme to a sample suspected of containing viable microbial cells to substantially degrade any extracellular ATP in the sample; ii) adding a phosphate containing compound to the sample to substantially halt action of the ATP degrading enzyme; and iii) subjecting the sample to a detection assay to establish the level of undegraded ATP in the sample to provide an indication of the level of viable microbial cells in the sample.

Abstract: A kit for detecting bacterial ATP in a sample is provided. The kit comprises an aqueous composition having a pH of about 6.0 to 7.2. The aqueous composition comprises effective amounts of a polyol, a buffer reagent, a protein, and ATP-diphosphohydrolase. A method of using the kit to detect bacterial ATP is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses and kits for the detection of ATP in a liquid sample are provided. The apparatuses and kits comprise a liquid reagent composition comprising luciferin and a sampling device having a sampling portion and a handling portion. The sampling portion comprises a fibrous or a foam material and is adapted to acquire and releasably retain a predetermined volume of a liquid sample or a sample of residue from a surface. The sampling device comprises a dry coating or a liquid coating, the coating including an effective amount of a pH-adjusting reagent that, when contacted with a liquid reagent composition having a pH 6.8 or lower, changes the pH of the liquid reagent composition to 6.9 or higher. Methods of use of the apparatus or kit are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus (1000) and kit (1000) for the detection of ATP in a liquid sample is provided. The apparatus and kit comprise a liquid reagent composition comprising luciferin and a sampling device having (100) a sampling portion (30) and a handling portion (20). The sampling portion (30) is adapted to acquire and releasably retain a predetermined volume of a liquid sample in one or more cavity (32) that is not substantially defined by space between a plurality of fibers. The sampling device (30) comprises a dry coating that includes an effective amount of a pH-adjusting reagent that, when contacted with a liquid reagent composition having a pH of about 6.8 or lower, changes the pH of the liquid reagent composition to 6.9 or higher. A method of use of the apparatus or kit is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an assay method for the detection of viable microbial cells in a sample, the assay method comprising the steps of: i) adding an ATP degrading enzyme to a sample suspected of containing viable microbial cells to substantially degrade any extracellular ATP in the sample; ii) adding a phosphate containing compound to the sample to substantially halt action of the ATP degrading enzyme; and iii) subjecting the sample to a detection assay to establish the level of undegraded ATP in the sample to provide an indication of the level of viable microbial cells in the sample.