Interference of some organic substances and microorganisms adhered to stainless steel in ATP-bioluminescence measurement

Abstract

Adhesion of organic substances and microorganisms on stainless steel surface was evaluated. The log RLU measurement was affected at a lower or higher degree, by type or concentration of the organic substances (casein, lipid, sucrose and their combinations) adhered to surface. However, if the samples analyzed were from the food processing surfaces, they would have been considered to be under satisfactory hygienic conditions with log RLU < 2.18 (< 150 RLU). The log RLU measurements of Staphylococcus carnosus-adhered surfaces, combined with or without the organic substances, were higher (p<0.05) than those of the Bacillus subtilis spores-adhered surface, regardless of the concentration. The samples taken from the surfaces adhered with the casein, lipid, sucrose and 2.9x10¹ DMC.cm-2 and 2.9x10² DMC.ml-1 did not have any significant differences (p>0.05) on ATP-bioluminescence measurements. However, the surfaces adhered with 2.9x10³ DMC.cm-2 of B. subtilis spores and organic substances showed an increase in the log RLU measurement compared to surfaces containing only the organic substances.