ENLITEN® ATP Assay System

The ENLITEN® ATP Assay System can be used to measure ATP levels for the indirect detection of biocontamination on food processing surfaces, in cosmetics and beverages or to assay for enzymes that degrade ATP and to quantitate ATP in biological fluids. The assay uses Quantilum® Recombinant Luciferase to detect ATP based on the following reaction: ATP + D-Luciferin + O₂ → Oxyluciferin + AMP + PPi + CO₂ + Light (560nm)

Less Variation: Stable light output.
User Friendly: Easy-to-prepare reagents.
Performance: Fast and convenient assay method.
Sensitive: Detects as little as 10^–15 moles of ATP.

The assay system includes ATP detection reagents and an ATP standard. The assay procedure involves adding the ATP detection reagent directly to prepared sample wells or tubes. Different sample types will require different sample preparation methods to extract ATP. Sample preparation and ATP extraction guidance is provided in the technical manual. For measurement of ATP in microorganisms or cells, the ATP must be extracted efficiently without degradation and the procedure should minimize inhibition or interference with the luciferase reaction. The light output from the assay is measured using a tube-reading luminometer or plate-reading luminometer.

For bacterial and cell culture applications, Promega offers a variety of optimized assay systems and protocols. For bacterial culture applications, we recommend the BacTiter-Glo™ Microbial Cell Viability Assay, a homogeneous ATP assay using a single reagent optimized for bacterial lysis and detection, that generates a stable “glow-type” luminescent signal while simultaneously inhibiting endogenous enzymes released during bacterial lysis. For cell-based applications, we recommend the CellTiter-Glo® 2.0 Assay, a homogeneous ATP assay utilizing a single, ready-to-use reagent that generates a stable "glow-type" luminescent signal while simultaneously inhibiting endogenous enzymes released during cell lysis (e.g., ATPases). For 3D cell-based applications, we recommend the CellTiter-Glo® 3D Cell Viability Assay.