Application of ATP-based bioluminescence for bioaerosol quantification: effect of sampling method

Area of Science:

• Environmental Microbiology
• Analytical Chemistry
• Bioengineering

Background:

• Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-based bioluminescence is a promising technique for rapid and cost-effective bioaerosol quantification.
• Understanding the influence of aerosolization and sampling parameters on bioluminescence output is crucial for accurate bioaerosol research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how different bioaerosol aerosolization parameters and sampling methods affect ATP bioluminescence output per bacterium.
• To assess the implications of these effects on the reliability of bioaerosol research.
• To identify optimal ATP reagent storage and preparation conditions.

Main Methods:

• Aerosolization of *Bacillus atrophaeus* and *Pseudomonas fluorescens* using a Collison nebulizer with different jars.
• Collection of aerosolized bacteria using Button Aerosol Sampler, BioSampler, and a novel Electrostatic Precipitator with Superhydrophobic Surface (EPSS).
• Comparison of ATP bioluminescence output per bacterium before and after aerosolization and sampling.

Main Results:

• Aerosolization with a polycarbonate jar yielded higher bioluminescence output than a glass jar.
• Bioluminescence output of *P. fluorescens* increased post-aerosolization.
• Sampling significantly decreased bioluminescence intensity per bacterium, with longer sampling times and certain methods causing greater reductions.
• The EPSS method demonstrated the least negative impact on bacterial bioluminescence.

Conclusions:

• ATP bioluminescence is a rapid method for bioaerosol analysis, but its accuracy is influenced by generation and sampling techniques.
• The choice of aerosolization and sampling methods critically affects ATP bioluminescence measurements.
• The EPSS is a promising sampling method for preserving bacterial viability and bioluminescence signal.