Evaluation of ATP Bioluminescence Compared to Colony Counting Method for Measuring Cleanliness and Disinfection Efficiency of Different Surfaces

Chunai Tao; Xiaoying Qin; Chunfei Wan; Yongxin Gan; Xianke Liang

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Evaluation of ATP Bioluminescence Compared to Colony Counting Method for Measuring Cleanliness and Disinfection Efficiency of Different Surfaces

Chunai Tao

, Xiaoying Qin

, Chunfei Wan

, Yongxin Gan^*

, Xianke Liang

Published in International Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology (Volume 11, Issue 2)

Received: 26 March 2026 Accepted: 8 April 2026 Published: 23 April 2026

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Prompt evaluation of cleanliness and disinfection efficacy is significant for on-site scenarios. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay is effective for hygiene evaluation, while the ATP relative light unit (RLU) differs from various surfaces. This study compared the effectiveness of ATP bioluminescence assay and colony counting method in evaluating the cleanliness and disinfection efficiency on different surfaces, and to explore the feasibility of on-site ATP evaluation. Evaluation of disinfection efficiency was conducted in the laboratory floor by disinfecting 900 mg/L chlorine disinfectant for 30 min, and the ATP RLU and the total bacterial colonies were detected before and after disinfection. On-site sampling and detection of ATP and total bacterial colonies were performed on the surface and floor of the food processing workshop. Following the disinfection with chlorine disinfectant, the killing ratio of natural bacterial colonies and the elimination ratio of ATP RLU decreased by 90.52% and 86.87% respectively. Spearman rank-correlation analysis indicated that ATP RLU exhibited a positive correlation with colony forming unit (CFU). The ATP RLU of the tables and floors in the workshop were within the ranges of (14 - 849)/100 cm² and (131 - 8437)/100 cm² respectively, and the total bacterial colonies were within the ranges of (0 - 200) CFU/100 cm² and (30 - 800) CFU/100 cm² respectively. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated that there was no linear correlation between Log RLU and Log CFU on the tables, whereas a linear positive correlation was detected for the floor samples. The decrease ratio of ATP RLU was consistent to the total colony count for disinfection, but the relationship was intricate in the cleanliness evaluation within the workshop. The two methods may be integrated comprehensively to evaluate the cleanliness and disinfection of surface.

Published in	International Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology (Volume 11, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11
Page(s)	53-58
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

ATP, Relative Light Intensity, Cleanliness, Disinfection, Evaluation

References

[1]	Halmans Y, Wellenstein D, Hopman J, et al. Is UV-C light disinfection suitable as a disinfection method for medical devices: a scoping review. Antimicrobial resistance and infection control, 2025, 15(1): 2. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-025-01669-5
[2]	Devan R K S, Banu M, Mallikarjuna Y, et al. Effectiveness of Sanitization Assessment by ATP Bioluminescence Detection System as a Complementary Method in Vivarium: A five-year status report. jlas, 2024, 2(7): 1-11. https://doi.org/10.48165/jlas.2024.7.2.1
[3]	Ishino N, Miyaji C, Ogata M, et al. Applicability of the ATP assay in monitoring the cleanliness of hospital environments. Infection, disease & health, 2024, 29(1): 32-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idh.2023.09.034
[4]	Makovska I, Biebaut E, Dhaka P, et al. Methods for assessing efficacy of cleaning and disinfection in livestock farms: a narrative review. Frontiers in veterinary science, 2025, 12: 1581217. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1581217
[5]	Makovska I, Chantziaras I, Caekebeke N, et al. Assessment of Cleaning and Disinfection Upload Selected Files Practices on Pig Farms across Ten European Countries. Animals: an open access journal from MDPI, 2024, 14(4): 593. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14040593
[6]	Kwakman J A, Rauwers A W, Buijs J G, et al. No relation between adenosine triphosphate after manual cleaning and presence of microorganisms on endoscopes after automated high-level disinfection. Endoscopy international open, 2022, 10(9): E1275-E1281. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1897-5000
[7]	Johnson D C, Leal L A, Perez J G, et al. Evaluation of ATP bioluminescence for rapid determination of farrowing room cleanliness after pressure washing at a commercial sow farm. Translational animal science, 2024, 8: txae 138. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txae138
[8]	Liu Hongna, Yang Pengxuan. Application and research progress of adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence detection technology in the evaluation of cleaning and disinfection effect. Medical equipment, 2024, 37(03): 162-164. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1002-2376.2024.03.051
[9]	Rigonato E M, Gonçalves V P, Angeloni N L N, et al. Monitoring Cleaning and Disinfection in a Respiratory Syndrome Unit Amid the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic. Journal of infection prevention and health, 2024, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.26694/repis.v10i1.6171
[10]	Tang Y, Sun J, Dong D, et al. Comparison of coliform paper test and ATP bioluminescence assay for monitoring the disinfection of kitchen utensils in canteens of hebei, China. Heliyon, 2023, 9(4): e14839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14839
[11]	China National Health Commission. Standard for Evaluating the Efficacy of disinfection on site. WS/T797-2022. Beijing: National Health Commision of China; 2022.
[12]	Yi S, Cho A, Kim E, et al. Evaluation of adenosine triphosphate testing for on-farm cleanliness monitoring compared to microbiological testing in an empty pig farrowing unit. Journal of animal science and technology, 2020, 62(5): 682-691. https://doi.org/10.5187/jast.2020.62.5.682
[13]	Heinemann C, Leubner C D, Hayer J J, et al. Hygiene management in newborn individually housed dairy calves focusing on housing and feeding practices. Journal of animal science, 2021, 99(1): skaa 391. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaa391
[14]	Prentice-Mott G, Maru L, Kossik A, et al. ATP-based assessments of recent cleaning and disinfection for high-touch surfaces in low-resource shared toilets. NPJ clean water, 2024, 7(1): 10-1038. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-024-00380-z
[15]	Muhlebach M S, Shields T, Shah K K, et al. Assessing effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection of equipment and environmental surfaces in cystic fibrosis clinics using an ATP assay. Infection control and hospital epidemiology, 2024: 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2024.102
[16]	Tudorica Sirmon A, Bădițoiu L M, Anghel M, et al. Adenosine Triphosphate Bioluminescence Assay versus Microbiological Swab Culture in the Evaluation of Surface Sanitation in a Pediatric Hospital in Romania. Risk management and healthcare policy, 2025, 18: 1669-1681. https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S509274
[17]	Chan A S F, Chan H L Y, Yan B K L, et al. Effectiveness of adenosine triphosphate to monitor manual cleaning and disinfection efficacy of flexible endoscopes in Hong Kong. JGH open: an open access journal of gastroenterology and hepatology, 2023, 7(2): 141-147. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgh3.12863

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Tao, C., Qin, X., Wan, C., Gan, Y., Liang, X. (2026). Evaluation of ATP Bioluminescence Compared to Colony Counting Method for Measuring Cleanliness and Disinfection Efficiency of Different Surfaces. International Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 11(2), 53-58. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Tao, C.; Qin, X.; Wan, C.; Gan, Y.; Liang, X. Evaluation of ATP Bioluminescence Compared to Colony Counting Method for Measuring Cleanliness and Disinfection Efficiency of Different Surfaces. Int. J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2026, 11(2), 53-58. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Tao C, Qin X, Wan C, Gan Y, Liang X. Evaluation of ATP Bioluminescence Compared to Colony Counting Method for Measuring Cleanliness and Disinfection Efficiency of Different Surfaces. Int J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2026;11(2):53-58. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11,
  author = {Chunai Tao and Xiaoying Qin and Chunfei Wan and Yongxin Gan and Xianke Liang},
  title = {Evaluation of ATP Bioluminescence Compared to Colony Counting Method for Measuring Cleanliness and Disinfection Efficiency of Different Surfaces},
  journal = {International Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology},
  volume = {11},
  number = {2},
  pages = {53-58},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijmb.20261102.11},
  abstract = {Prompt evaluation of cleanliness and disinfection efficacy is significant for on-site scenarios. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay is effective for hygiene evaluation, while the ATP relative light unit (RLU) differs from various surfaces. This study compared the effectiveness of ATP bioluminescence assay and colony counting method in evaluating the cleanliness and disinfection efficiency on different surfaces, and to explore the feasibility of on-site ATP evaluation. Evaluation of disinfection efficiency was conducted in the laboratory floor by disinfecting 900 mg/L chlorine disinfectant for 30 min, and the ATP RLU and the total bacterial colonies were detected before and after disinfection. On-site sampling and detection of ATP and total bacterial colonies were performed on the surface and floor of the food processing workshop. Following the disinfection with chlorine disinfectant, the killing ratio of natural bacterial colonies and the elimination ratio of ATP RLU decreased by 90.52% and 86.87% respectively. Spearman rank-correlation analysis indicated that ATP RLU exhibited a positive correlation with colony forming unit (CFU). The ATP RLU of the tables and floors in the workshop were within the ranges of (14 - 849)/100 cm² and (131 - 8437)/100 cm² respectively, and the total bacterial colonies were within the ranges of (0 - 200) CFU/100 cm² and (30 - 800) CFU/100 cm² respectively. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated that there was no linear correlation between Log RLU and Log CFU on the tables, whereas a linear positive correlation was detected for the floor samples. The decrease ratio of ATP RLU was consistent to the total colony count for disinfection, but the relationship was intricate in the cleanliness evaluation within the workshop. The two methods may be integrated comprehensively to evaluate the cleanliness and disinfection of surface.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Evaluation of ATP Bioluminescence Compared to Colony Counting Method for Measuring Cleanliness and Disinfection Efficiency of Different Surfaces
AU  - Chunai Tao
AU  - Xiaoying Qin
AU  - Chunfei Wan
AU  - Yongxin Gan
AU  - Xianke Liang
Y1  - 2026/04/23
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11
T2  - International Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
JF  - International Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
JO  - International Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
SP  - 53
EP  - 58
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-9686
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11
AB  - Prompt evaluation of cleanliness and disinfection efficacy is significant for on-site scenarios. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay is effective for hygiene evaluation, while the ATP relative light unit (RLU) differs from various surfaces. This study compared the effectiveness of ATP bioluminescence assay and colony counting method in evaluating the cleanliness and disinfection efficiency on different surfaces, and to explore the feasibility of on-site ATP evaluation. Evaluation of disinfection efficiency was conducted in the laboratory floor by disinfecting 900 mg/L chlorine disinfectant for 30 min, and the ATP RLU and the total bacterial colonies were detected before and after disinfection. On-site sampling and detection of ATP and total bacterial colonies were performed on the surface and floor of the food processing workshop. Following the disinfection with chlorine disinfectant, the killing ratio of natural bacterial colonies and the elimination ratio of ATP RLU decreased by 90.52% and 86.87% respectively. Spearman rank-correlation analysis indicated that ATP RLU exhibited a positive correlation with colony forming unit (CFU). The ATP RLU of the tables and floors in the workshop were within the ranges of (14 - 849)/100 cm² and (131 - 8437)/100 cm² respectively, and the total bacterial colonies were within the ranges of (0 - 200) CFU/100 cm² and (30 - 800) CFU/100 cm² respectively. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated that there was no linear correlation between Log RLU and Log CFU on the tables, whereas a linear positive correlation was detected for the floor samples. The decrease ratio of ATP RLU was consistent to the total colony count for disinfection, but the relationship was intricate in the cleanliness evaluation within the workshop. The two methods may be integrated comprehensively to evaluate the cleanliness and disinfection of surface.
VL  - 11
IS  - 2
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Chunai Tao

Center for Disease Prevention and Control of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China

http://orcid.org/0009-0009-7633-1600
Xiaoying Qin

Center for Disease Prevention and Control of Guilin, Guilin, China

http://orcid.org/0009-0000-2638-3239
Chunfei Wan

Center for Disease Prevention and Control of Beihai, Beihai, China

http://orcid.org/0009-0005-3430-906X
Yongxin Gan

Center for Disease Prevention and Control of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0005-0279-2114
Xianke Liang

Guangxi Ningming Chengxing Food Co., Ltd, Chongzuo, China

http://orcid.org/0009-0000-1228-1805

Download PDF

Submit an Article

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Tao, C., Qin, X., Wan, C., Gan, Y., Liang, X. (2026). Evaluation of ATP Bioluminescence Compared to Colony Counting Method for Measuring Cleanliness and Disinfection Efficiency of Different Surfaces. International Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 11(2), 53-58. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Tao, C.; Qin, X.; Wan, C.; Gan, Y.; Liang, X. Evaluation of ATP Bioluminescence Compared to Colony Counting Method for Measuring Cleanliness and Disinfection Efficiency of Different Surfaces. Int. J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2026, 11(2), 53-58. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Tao C, Qin X, Wan C, Gan Y, Liang X. Evaluation of ATP Bioluminescence Compared to Colony Counting Method for Measuring Cleanliness and Disinfection Efficiency of Different Surfaces. Int J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2026;11(2):53-58. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11,
  author = {Chunai Tao and Xiaoying Qin and Chunfei Wan and Yongxin Gan and Xianke Liang},
  title = {Evaluation of ATP Bioluminescence Compared to Colony Counting Method for Measuring Cleanliness and Disinfection Efficiency of Different Surfaces},
  journal = {International Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology},
  volume = {11},
  number = {2},
  pages = {53-58},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijmb.20261102.11},
  abstract = {Prompt evaluation of cleanliness and disinfection efficacy is significant for on-site scenarios. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay is effective for hygiene evaluation, while the ATP relative light unit (RLU) differs from various surfaces. This study compared the effectiveness of ATP bioluminescence assay and colony counting method in evaluating the cleanliness and disinfection efficiency on different surfaces, and to explore the feasibility of on-site ATP evaluation. Evaluation of disinfection efficiency was conducted in the laboratory floor by disinfecting 900 mg/L chlorine disinfectant for 30 min, and the ATP RLU and the total bacterial colonies were detected before and after disinfection. On-site sampling and detection of ATP and total bacterial colonies were performed on the surface and floor of the food processing workshop. Following the disinfection with chlorine disinfectant, the killing ratio of natural bacterial colonies and the elimination ratio of ATP RLU decreased by 90.52% and 86.87% respectively. Spearman rank-correlation analysis indicated that ATP RLU exhibited a positive correlation with colony forming unit (CFU). The ATP RLU of the tables and floors in the workshop were within the ranges of (14 - 849)/100 cm² and (131 - 8437)/100 cm² respectively, and the total bacterial colonies were within the ranges of (0 - 200) CFU/100 cm² and (30 - 800) CFU/100 cm² respectively. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated that there was no linear correlation between Log RLU and Log CFU on the tables, whereas a linear positive correlation was detected for the floor samples. The decrease ratio of ATP RLU was consistent to the total colony count for disinfection, but the relationship was intricate in the cleanliness evaluation within the workshop. The two methods may be integrated comprehensively to evaluate the cleanliness and disinfection of surface.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Evaluation of ATP Bioluminescence Compared to Colony Counting Method for Measuring Cleanliness and Disinfection Efficiency of Different Surfaces
AU  - Chunai Tao
AU  - Xiaoying Qin
AU  - Chunfei Wan
AU  - Yongxin Gan
AU  - Xianke Liang
Y1  - 2026/04/23
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11
T2  - International Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
JF  - International Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
JO  - International Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
SP  - 53
EP  - 58
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-9686
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmb.20261102.11
AB  - Prompt evaluation of cleanliness and disinfection efficacy is significant for on-site scenarios. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay is effective for hygiene evaluation, while the ATP relative light unit (RLU) differs from various surfaces. This study compared the effectiveness of ATP bioluminescence assay and colony counting method in evaluating the cleanliness and disinfection efficiency on different surfaces, and to explore the feasibility of on-site ATP evaluation. Evaluation of disinfection efficiency was conducted in the laboratory floor by disinfecting 900 mg/L chlorine disinfectant for 30 min, and the ATP RLU and the total bacterial colonies were detected before and after disinfection. On-site sampling and detection of ATP and total bacterial colonies were performed on the surface and floor of the food processing workshop. Following the disinfection with chlorine disinfectant, the killing ratio of natural bacterial colonies and the elimination ratio of ATP RLU decreased by 90.52% and 86.87% respectively. Spearman rank-correlation analysis indicated that ATP RLU exhibited a positive correlation with colony forming unit (CFU). The ATP RLU of the tables and floors in the workshop were within the ranges of (14 - 849)/100 cm² and (131 - 8437)/100 cm² respectively, and the total bacterial colonies were within the ranges of (0 - 200) CFU/100 cm² and (30 - 800) CFU/100 cm² respectively. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated that there was no linear correlation between Log RLU and Log CFU on the tables, whereas a linear positive correlation was detected for the floor samples. The decrease ratio of ATP RLU was consistent to the total colony count for disinfection, but the relationship was intricate in the cleanliness evaluation within the workshop. The two methods may be integrated comprehensively to evaluate the cleanliness and disinfection of surface.
VL  - 11
IS  - 2
ER  -

Copy | Download