PRESENCE OF ATP (ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATE) IN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS.
- INPAL
- Mar 18
- 2 min read
Presence of ATP in air conditioning systems
ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) is a molecule that is present in all types of organic matter and is the universal unit of energy used to measure living cells.
Therefore, most foods and microbial cells contain some level of ATP.
The presence of ATP is an indicator of poor hygiene.
Residues of organic matter on a surface become a source of nutrients for microorganisms and also protect them from the action of disinfectants.
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is a fundamental molecule in biological systems, acting as the main source of energy for most cellular processes.
In the context of air conditioning systems, the term ATP does not refer to this biological molecule, rather it is related to the measurement of microbial load or contamination in the air conditioning system.
In air conditioning systems, the accumulation of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi and other contaminants, can affect indoor air quality and system efficiency.
At INPAL® we evaluate the presence of these contaminants, applying ATP measurement as an indicator of biological activity.
ATP is a molecule present in all living organisms, so its detection can serve as a rapid method for quantifying microbial biomass in samples taken from ductwork, filters or air conditioning system components.
The process of measuring ATP in these systems involves sampling surfaces or air, and then using a reagent that reacts with ATP to produce light (luciferin-luciferase). The amount of light emitted is proportional to the amount of ATP present, allowing the level of microbial contamination to be estimated. This method is useful for evaluating the effectiveness of cleaning and maintenance practices, as well as for identifying critical areas that require attention.
In summary, although ATP is primarily known for its role in cell biology, in the context of air conditioning systems, its measurement is used as a tool to monitor microbial contamination and ensure a healthy indoor environment and efficient system operation.
CONTACTO.
Tel. +52 55 1114 8980
Comments