Bugcount® Solids (DSA)

The Bugcount Solids test kit measures total ATP (tATP) in deposits, sludges, and surface swabs to provide a direct, real-time view of biofilm activity and fouling potential across equipment and assets. Results help you target cleaning, verify remediation, and prevent corrosion, plugging, and unplanned downtime.

There are three ways to use it:

• Surface Swab: Swab a measured area to collect biofilm, then extract ATP.
• Measured Deposit: Collect and measure a deposit, then extract ATP.
• Biofilm Collector: Extract ATP from a collection device such as a corrosion coupon.

Key terms

• ATP: Adenosine triphosphate, energy molecule of living cells.
• tATP (Total ATP): All ATP in the sample (living + dead cells).
• RLU: Relative Light Units, the measurement of luminescence.
• RLU ATP1: Calibration signal from UltraCheck 1.
• RLU tATP: Sample result for total ATP.
• Background RLU: Baseline signal measured from Luminase only.

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 enzyme

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

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 100µL of Luminase into the tube.
• Swirl the tube, place it in the luminometer, and take the RLU ATP1 reading (select READ) within 10 seconds.

If RLU ATP1 ≤ 5,000 rehydrate a new bottle of Luminase.

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

Option 1: Surface swab

• Obtain a new Sterile Swab and wet with LumiSolve. Swab a surface area of approximately 5x5cm (2x2in).
• Insert swab in a 5mL UltraLyse 7 (extraction) tube.  Cap and mix the contents of the tube.

To increase analysis sensitivity, increase the swabbed surface area.

Option 2: Measured deposit

• Obtain a portion of the deposit and weigh 1g of sample.
• Add this to a 5mL UltraLyse 7 (extraction) tube. 
• Cap and mix the contents of the tube vigorously to disperse the deposit throughout the fluid.

A measured volume of deposit (e.g. 1mL) can also be used instead of a weighed amount.

Option 3: Biofilm collector

• Obtain a biofilm collection device from the process and shake gently to remove excess fluid.
• Note the area of all biofilm-containing surfaces on the device and place it into a 5mL UltraLyse 7 (extraction) tube. 
• Cap and mix the contents of the tube vigorously to disperse the deposit throughout the fluid.

Attempt to test the biofilm collection device as quickly as possible following removal from process fluid.

3.1 Extraction

• Allow at least 5 minutes for ATP extraction in the 5mL UltraLyse 7 (extraction) tube.

When using the biofilm collector method, ensure the device is submerged in the
UltraLyse 7 during incubation.

3.2 Dilution

• Transfer 1mL from the UltraLyse 7 (extraction) tube to a 9mL UltraLute (dilution) tube.
• Cap and invert three times to mix.

3.3 Background measurement

• Pipet 100µL of the Luminase into a new, clean 12x55mm test tube.
• Put this test tube into your luminometer and take the Background RLU reading (select READ).
• This tube can then be used for your first sample assay on the next step.

If the Background RLU is above 20 RLU, this indicates that some external factors (light, contamination) may be influencing your results. LuminUltra offers cleaning kits for your luminometer. Please contact us to discuss.

2.4 Assay

• Combine 100µL of the UltraLute (dilution) solution (containing your filtered, extracted sample) with 100µL of Luminase.
  • For your first sample, you can add the UltraLute (dilution) solution directly to the test tube you used for the Background measurement.
  • For each subsequent sample, add 100µL of the UltraLute (dilution) solution and 100µL of Luminase to a new 12x55mm test tube, using new pipet tips for each reagent and each sample.
• Swirl the tube, place it in the luminometer, and take the RLU cATP reading (select READ) within 10 seconds.
• In Relay™, select SAVE TEST.

3. 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{cm^{2}})
=
\frac{\mathrm{RLU}_{\mathrm{tATP}} - \mathrm{RLU}_{\mathrm{background}}}
     {\mathrm{RLU}_{\mathrm{ATP1}}}
\times
\frac{50{,}000\;\mathrm{pg\ ATP}}{A_{\mathrm{sample}}\;\mathrm{cm^{2}}}

\mathrm{tATP}\;(\mathrm{pg\ ATP}/\mathrm{g})
=
\frac{\mathrm{RLU}_{\mathrm{tATP}} - \mathrm{RLU}_{\mathrm{background}}}
     {\mathrm{RLU}_{\mathrm{ATP1}}}
\times
\frac{50{,}000\;\mathrm{pg\ ATP}}{m_{\mathrm{sample}}\;\mathrm{g}}

\mathrm{tATP}\;(\mathrm{pg\ ATP}/\mathrm{cm^{2}})
=
\frac{\mathrm{RLU}_{\mathrm{tATP}} - \mathrm{RLU}_{\mathrm{background}}}
     {\mathrm{RLU}_{\mathrm{ATP1}}}
\times
\frac{50{,}000\;\mathrm{pg\ ATP}}{A_{\mathrm{collector}}\;\mathrm{cm^{2}}}

Troubleshooting

Additional Resources

myLuminultra:
https://my.luminultra.com

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