Microbiological best method and reagents
AssigneeThe Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
InventorDavid James Squirrell
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Abstract
A method for detecting the presence and/or mount of microorganisms is described by adding adenosine diphosphate (ADP) to a sample suspected of containing microorganisms and/or their intracellular material, determining the amount of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generated by adenylate kinase present, for example using a bioluminescent assay involving luciferase and luciferin, and relating the results to the presence and/or amount of microorganism. Test kits and apparatus for use in the method are also described.
Claims45
A method for determining the presence and/or amount of microorganisms and/of their intracellular material present in a sample wherein the amount of adenylate kinase in the sample is estimated by mixing the sample with adenosine diphosphate (ADP), determining the amount of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) produced by the sample from this ADP, and relating the amount of ATP so produced to the presence/or amount of microorganisms and/or their intracellular material.
A test kit for detection and/or quantification of microorganisms and/or the cellular material comprising one or more reagents including a reagent comprising ADP with a molar % ATP of less than 0.001.
A test kit as claimed in 29 comprising a bioluminescence reagent of adenylate kinase activity less than 10.sup.-7 U/ml as defined herein.
An apparatus comprising a means for receiving a sample to be analysed for the presence of microorganisms or their intracellular contents in an aqueous suspension or solution, means for addition of ADP, luciferase and luciferin to the suspension and means for detecting light produced wherein a conveyor is provided for moving the sample and means relative to each other for the purpose of sequential operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.