Apparatus and methods for detecting ATP in a liquid sample

A method, comprising:

• using a sampling device to obtain a predetermined volume of sample;
• wherein the sampling device comprises a sampling portion that comprises a fibrous material or a foam material;
• wherein 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;
• wherein the liquid reagent composition comprises a luciferin;
• contacting the predetermined volume of sample with both the dry coating comprising the pH-adjusting reagent and the liquid reagent composition in a container to form a reaction mixture;
• and
• using a luminometer to detect light emitted from the reaction mixture;
• wherein the container comprises a cuvette portion adapted to be operationally coupled to the luminometer.