Bugcount Fluids (QGOM)

This test kit measures cellular ATP (cATP) to quantify total living biomass in hydrocarbon-based samples. By providing rapid, reliable insight into microbial growth, it helps you detect contamination early, prevent corrosion and fouling, and protect critical assets in energy and industrial systems.

Key terms

• ATP: Adenosine triphosphate, energy molecule of living cells.
• 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 cATP: Sample result for cellular ATP.
• Background RLU: Baseline signal measured from Luminase only.
• Volume: Amount of sample filtered, in mL.

Sample volume recommendations

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.

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 Background measurement

• Add 100µL of the Luminase into a new, clean 12x55mm test tube using the 100µL pipettor and a yellow pipet tip.
• Put this test tube into your luminometer and take the Background RLU reading (select READ).

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.

1.4 Calibration using UltraCheck 1 (RLU ATP1)

• Hold the UltraCheck 1 bottle vertical and add 2 drops (100µL) to the test tube containing Luminase.
• Swirl the tube, place it in the luminometer, and take the ATP1 RLU reading (select READ) within 10 seconds.

If ATP1 RLU ≤ 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.

2.1 Filtration

1. Mix sample well.
2. Remove the plunger from the syringe.
3. Attach a new syringe filter.
4. Pour the recommended volume of sample into the syringe, and record the amount used as Volume.
5. Place the plunger back into the syringe and slowly push sample through the filter into waste receptacle.
6. Detach the filter.
7. Remove the plunger.

2.2 Washing and drying

1. Re-attach the filter to the syringe.
2. Using a disposable bulb pipet, add 5mL of LumiClean to the syringe barrel.
3. Push the LumiClean slowly through the filter into a waste container. Continue to push the plunger all the way to the bottom, which will dry the filter.

2.3 Extraction

This step breaks open microbial cells to release ATP.

1. Remove the filter from the syringe.
2. Remove the plunger from the syringe.
3. Re-attach the filter.
4. Add 1 mL of UltraLyse 7 to the syringe barrel using the 1mL pipettor.
5. Pass it slowly through the filter and collect in a new 9mL UltraLute (dilution) tube.
6. Cap and invert three times to mix.

2.5 Assay

1. Add 100µL of UltraLute (dilution) solution to a new 12x55mm test tube.
2. And 100µL of Luminase to the tube.
3. Swirl the tube, place it in the luminometer, and take the cATP RLU reading (select READ) within 10 seconds.
4. 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{cATP}\;(\mathrm{pg\ ATP}/\mathrm{mL})
=
\left[
\frac{
\mathrm{cATP}_{\mathrm{RLU}} \;-\; \mathrm{Background}_{\mathrm{RLU}}
}{
\mathrm{ATP1}_{\mathrm{RLU}}
}
\right]
\times
\frac{10{,}000\;(\mathrm{pg\ ATP})}{V_{\mathrm{sample}}\;(\mathrm{mL})}

Troubleshooting

Additional Resources

myLuminultra:
https://my.luminultra.com

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