Using ATP bioluminescence technique for monitoring microbial activity in sludge
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Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Autonomously Bioluminescent Mammalian Cells for Continuous and Real-time Monitoring of Cytotoxicity
Published on: October 28, 2013
1Chemical Engineering Department, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
Abstract:
This study demonstrates, for the first time, that the presence of suspended solids in waste-activated sludge interferes with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence tests. The sludge subject to acid/alkaline treatment represented the test sample. Without consideration of the effect of solid concentrations, one would erroneously estimate the density levels of heterotrophic bacteria in the sludge using ATP data. A light blockage model was proposed to evaluate the luminescence reading without the interference of suspended solids.

