Method and apparatus for detecting and quantifying bacterial spores on a surface

A method for detecting and quantifying individual bacterial spores, the method comprising

• imaging the individual bacterial spores on a matrix comprising a lanthanide ion,
• wherein the imaging is performed following release of aromatic molecules from the imaged individual spore and subsequent excitement of a complex formed by the lanthanide ion and the aromatic molecules to generate a luminescence;
• and
• wherein the imaged individual bacterial spores exhibit the luminescence of the complex on the matrix.

An apparatus for detecting and quantifying individual bacterial spores, comprising

• a test surface configured to include a matrix comprising a lanthanide ion, the matrix suitable to include a bacterial spore and an aromatic molecule released from the bacterial spore,
• a device for exciting a complex of the lanthanide ion and the aromatic molecule to generate a luminescence of the complex on the test surface,
• a detector for detecting and quantifying the at least one bacterial spore exhibiting the luminescence of the complex on the test surface, and
• an imaging device for imaging the at least one bacterial spore exhibiting the luminescence of the complex on the test surface.