ATP-Diphosphohydrolase Kit for Bacterial ATP Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional microbiological tests for detecting microbial contamination in industrial samples are slow due to the need for incubation periods of 24-48 hours or more, especially for stressed or slow-growing microorganisms, and there is a need for a method to distinguish microbial ATP from non-microbial ATP in samples like milk.

Innovation Solution

Aqueous compositions comprising ATP-diphosphohydrolase, polyols, buffer reagents, and proteins that are stable at ambient temperatures, allowing for the retention of greater than 90% of initial enzyme activity for extended periods, enabling rapid detection of microbial ATP through bioluminescence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional culture techniques are used to detect microbial contamination, then the detection is accurate and reliable, but the testing time is extended to 24-48 hours or more

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidtesting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The detection process is segmented into two distinct phases: (1) rapid ATP bioluminescence screening that provides immediate results for decision-making, and (2) traditional culture confirmation that ensures accuracy. This segmentation allows the system to deliver fast initial results while maintaining reliable verification through conventional methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

ATP bioluminescence serves as an intermediary screening method between sample collection and final culture confirmation. It provides a rapid intermediate assessment that can guide whether further culture testing is necessary, reducing the overall time loss while preserving detection reliability through the intermediary step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If ATP bioluminescence reaction is used to detect microbial ATP, then the testing speed is improved, but the ability to distinguish microbial ATP from non-microbial ATP is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting speedVSAvoidspecificity of microbial detection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes non-microbial ATP from the sample matrix before performing the ATP bioluminescence reaction. By selectively eliminating ATP from non-microbial sources (such as plant tissue, food matrices, or environmental samples), the assay achieves both rapid testing speed and high specificity for microbial detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary treatment step is introduced between sample collection and ATP measurement that selectively removes or neutralizes non-microbial ATP. This intermediary process preserves the rapid speed of ATP bioluminescence while enhancing measurement precision by eliminating false positive signals from non-microbial sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If ATP-diphosphohydrolase is stored in aqueous solution at room temperature, then the ease of operation is improved, but the enzyme activity is lost over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage convenienceVSAvoidenzyme activity stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a disposable lyophilized enzyme formulation that is stable at room temperature but intended for single-use or limited-use applications. The enzyme is provided in a stable, dried state that requires no refrigeration, and is activated by adding the sample or buffer immediately before use, ensuring both ease of operation and reliability of enzyme activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the enzyme is changed from aqueous solution to lyophilized (dried) form, which fundamentally alters its stability parameters. The lyophilized enzyme can be stored at room temperature indefinitely without loss of activity, and the enzyme is reconstituted in buffer or sample immediately before use, combining storage convenience with activity reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The stabilized ATP-diphosphohydrolase compositions maintain enzyme activity for at least 28 days at room temperature, facilitating the detection of microbial ATP in samples by effectively hydrolyzing non-microbial ATP and allowing for quick measurement of microbial presence, thus speeding up the testing process.

Implementation Method 1

ATP-diphosphohydrolase (apyrase) that catalyzes the hydrolysis of ATP to AMP and inorganic phosphate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

When adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) is added to this reagent, luciferase catalyzes the emission of light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBioluminescence: Bioluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS10415073B2Kit comprising ATP-diphosphohydrolase for detecting bacterial ATP in a sample
Publication Date: 2019.09.17 NEOGEN FOOD SAFETY US HOLDCO CORP

AI summary

A kit for detecting bacterial ATP in a sample is provided. The kit comprises an aqueous composition having a pH of about 6.0 to 7.2. The aqueous composition comprises effective amounts of a polyol, a buffer reagent, a protein, and ATP-diphosphohydrolase. A method of using the kit to detect bacterial ATP is also provided.