AccuLight Basic (ALB)

The AccuLight Basic Test Kit is a simplified test that measures total ATP (tATP)—with the option to also measure free ATP (fATP)—in cooling and process water systems.

Key terms

• ATP: Adenosine triphosphate, energy molecule of living cells.
• tATP (Total ATP): ATP either inside living cells, or released from dead cells.
• fATP (Free ATP): Freely-available, extra-cellular ATP originating from dead cells. A sub-set of Dissolved ATP (dATP).
• cATP (Cellular ATP): ATP inside living cells, representing active biomass.
• RLU: Relative Light Units, the measurement of luminescence.
• RLU ATP1: Calibration signal from UltraCheck 1.
• RLU tATP: Sample result for total ATP.
• RLU fATP: Sample result for free ATP.

1.1 Log in to Relay™

• Log in (or create your account) at http://relay.luminultra.com.

If you are new to Relay™, follow the guides to first create a site and sample location.

• Connect to your luminometer, then select RUN TESTS to begin a new test.
• As you work through these test kit instructions, you can initiate RLU readings directly within Relay™ by selecting READ on any input. Once all inputs are entered, your results will automatically calculate.

1.2 Rehydrate the Luminase Lite enzyme

• Gently mix the Buffer Lite and Luminase Lite enzyme.
• Wait 5 minutes for solution to dissolve.

After rehydration, keep Luminase refrigerated or frozen; it stays effective for 2–4 weeks at 4°C (39°F) or 3–6 months when frozen between uses. Before testing, let it thaw and reach room temperature (takes about 1 hour). Do not apply direct heat to warm it faster. For more details, visit my.luminultra.com.

1.3 Calibration using UltraCheck 1 (RLU ATP1)

• Hold the UltraCheck 1 bottle vertical and add 2 drops (100µL) of it to a 12x55mm test tube.
• Pipet 400µL of Luminase Lite into the test tube.
• Swirl the tube, place it in the luminometer, and take the RLU ATP1 reading (select READ) within 10 seconds.

If RLU ATP1 ≤ 1,000 rehydrate a new bottle of Luminase.

Calibration generally only needs to be done once per day (not with every test).

Once UltraCheck 1 is opened, it must be used within 3 months. After 3 months, discard and use a new bottle.

2. Total ATP analysis (RLU tATP)

2.1 Extraction

• Mix sample well.
• Using a new pipet tip, pipet 100µL of sample into a new 12x55mm test tube.
• Holding the bottle vertical, add 2 drops (100μL) of UltraLyse Lite. 
• Swirl the tube gently to mix contents.
• Allow 1 minute for extraction.

2.2 Assay

• Add 400μL of Luminase Lite to the test tube from the previous step.
• Swirl the tube, place it in the luminometer, and take the RLU tATP reading (select READ) within 10 seconds.
• In Relay™, select SAVE TEST.

3. Optional: Free ATP analysis (RLU fATP)

3.1 Assay

• Mix sample well.
• Using a new pipet tip, pipet 100μL of sample into a new 12x55mm test tube.
• Add 400μL of Luminase Lite to the tube.
• Swirl the tube, place it in the luminometer, and take the RLU fATP reading (select READ) within 10 seconds.
• In Relay™, select SAVE TEST.

4. Analysis

Calculations

Tip: Relay™ does the work For you

When all inputs are entered in Relay’s Run tests workflow, the results will calculate automatically. Select Save Test to catalog and share your results with your team.

\mathrm{tATP}\;(\mathrm{pg\ ATP}/\mathrm{mL})
=
\frac{\mathrm{RLU}_{\mathrm{tATP}}}{\mathrm{RLU}_{\mathrm{ATP1}}}
\times
1{,}000\;(\mathrm{pg\ ATP}/\mathrm{mL})

\mathrm{fATP}\;(\mathrm{pg\ ATP}/\mathrm{mL})
=
\frac{\mathrm{RLU}_{\mathrm{fATP}}}{\mathrm{RLU}_{\mathrm{ATP1}}}
\times
1{,}000\;(\mathrm{pg\ ATP}/\mathrm{mL})

\mathrm{cATP}\;(\mathrm{pg\ ATP}/\mathrm{mL})
=
\mathrm{tATP}\;(\mathrm{pg\ ATP}/\mathrm{mL})
-
\mathrm{fATP}\;(\mathrm{pg\ ATP}/\mathrm{mL})

Troubleshooting

Additional Resources

myLuminultra:
https://my.luminultra.com

Contact support:
https://my.luminultra.com/hc/en-us/requests/new