Ther efore, an RLU value is not the sam e as a m icrobial colony form ing
unit (CFU) . Since t he lum inom et er is detect ing t ot al ATP, it is unknown
whet her the RLU result displayed by t he lum inom et er is due to the
det ection of m icr obial ATP, residual ATP, or a com bination of bot h.
Ther efore, a com parison cannot be dr awn between RLU v alues fr om
ATP and st andard plat e counts ( SPC); or rat her RLU does not equal
CFU. True m icrobial cont am inat ion can only be det erm ined by a
st andard plat e count m et hod that can t ake up to 48 hours for result s.
The lum inom et er is capable of providing results in 15 seconds offering
a rapid, real-tim e approach to hygiene/ sanitation m onitoring. The
lum inom eter is not m eant to replace m icr obial testing. I t can be an
effective t ool w hen incor por at ed int o a Hazard Analysis Crit ical Cont rol
Point ( HACCP), Good Manufact ur ing Pr actices (GMP) , or sanit at ion
plan.
1 .4
Te s t Dev i ce s an d A ccesso r ies
See the Hygiena websit e for a com plet e list of t est dev ices,
accessories, and ot her products. www.hygiena.com