Sanitizer Effects On ATP Surfaces
Sanitizer Effects On ATP Surfaces
Sanitizer Effects On ATP Surfaces
Summary
• The majority of common sanitizers (10 µl at working strength) do not significantly affect results obtained with
UltraSnap™ or SuperSnap™ ATP test devices.
• SuperSnap reagents are more resistant to sanitizer affects than UltraSnap. For some sanitizers where interference
occurs with UltraSnap, SuperSnap may offer an alternative.
• When possible, to avoid any potential sanitizer interference, it is recommended to perform ATP surface testing after
detergent cleaning and before final sanitization. This process will ensure sanitizers and labor are not wasted on the
disinfection of surfaces that were improperly and unsuccessfully cleaned. This process is also recommended for users
with sanitizers that interfere with both UltraSnap and SuperSnap performance.
Purpose
To determine the effects of working-strength sanitizers on results of Hygiena UltraSnap and SuperSnap ATP test devices.
Procedure
Sample Preparation
ATP (disodium salt) was diluted in sterile pyrogen-free water (PFW) from a certified stock solution (2x10-2 Moles) to a
concentration of 2x10-7 Moles. 10 µl of this dilution was pipetted onto the swab tip of each UltraSnap and SuperSnap.
Sanitizers were diluted in water to manufacturer recommended working strength and 5 µl amounts were pipetted onto
each of the swab tips (separately from the water or ATP solution).
Assay Method
ATP test device activity was measured as follows:
1. Remove swab from swab tube.
2. Pipette 10 µl sterile pyrogen-free water or ATP solution directly onto center of swab tip end.
3. Pipette 10 µl sanitizer (diluted to working strength) or water (as a control) onto another area of swab tip.
4. Replace swab in tube and activate test device.
5. Shake gently to bathe swab in reagent for 10 seconds.
6. Measure ATP results by inserting the device in to the SystemSURE™ Plus luminometer.
7. Compare RLU result to expected result to calculate percent control (% Control). Results are expressed as a
percentage of the corresponding “no sanitizer” control. Results are displayed in Table 1.
Results
ATP Response to Sanitizers Effects
Results are relatively unaffected by the majority of sanitizers evaluated, which include sanitizers incorporating a wide
variety of active ingredients. Under the conditions of this experiment, some sanitizers gave a slight decrease in signal and
other sanitizers a slight increase.
Some sanitizers at the concentration used in this experiment significantly decreased the ATP signal. However, it is not
known whether this is a realistic test; sanitizers should be removed from a surface by thorough rinsing, and the amounts
used in this experiment may be unnecessarily high. Where residual sanitizers seriously affect the ATP signal, users
should consider that these residual sanitizers may not or should not be left on surfaces and that an extra rinse or wash
from surfaces will reduce interference. The indication that residual sanitizer is very inhibitory may indicate that these
sanitizers are potentially harmful to the user and should be rinsed from surfaces. Alternatively, when inhibitory sanitizers
are in use, Hygiena recommends testing after detergent cleaning but before final sanitization. Sanitizers reflecting this
recommendation are highlighted in yellow.
Some sanitizers in this study more greatly inhibited UltraSnap (>30% inhibition) than SuperSnap. For these sanitizers,
Hygiena recommends use of SuperSnap ATP test devices. Sanitizers reflecting this recommendation are highlighted in blue.