Using Adenosine Triphosphate to Quantify Bioburdens in Various Liquid Fuels

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is an excellent biomarker present in all living cells. During the past several years, several ATP test methods have been developed to overcome interferences that have historically made ATP testing of fuels impractical. This paper compares two of the new ATP test methods, presenting sensitivity and precision data for each method. Additionally, for one of the methods it examines the effect of fuel type on ATP test results. This method has a lower detection limit of 20 pg ATP/mL (approximately 100 bacterial cells/mL). Conventional gasoline, ethanol-gasoline blends, ultra-low-sulfur diesel and biodiesel blends carrying a range of bioburdens are examined.