Sampling Device pH Adjustment for ATP Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sampling devices for detecting ATP in food and beverage industry samples require longer times to achieve stable light output in luciferase enzyme reactions, especially at lower temperatures, due to pH limitations of existing luciferase assays.
Innovation Solution
A multi-purpose sampling device with a dry coating comprising a pH-adjusting reagent that, when contacted with a liquid sample, facilitates a pH change to optimize the luciferase-catalyzed light-emitting reaction, allowing for faster achievement of steady-state light emission by adjusting the pH of the luciferase-luciferin mixture from 6.8 to 7.2-8.0.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional sampling devices are used with luciferase assays at lower pH, then the device structure remains simple, but the time to achieve stable light output increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-coating the sampling device with a dry pH-adjusting reagent before sample collection. This reagent is activated upon contact with the liquid sample, automatically adjusting the pH to optimal levels for the luciferase reaction. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for separate pH adjustment steps and accelerates achievement of steady-state light output, particularly at lower temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dry pH-adjusting reagent as an intermediary substance on the sampling device. This reagent mediates between the sample and the luciferase reaction by adjusting the pH environment. The dry coating serves as a buffer system that releases appropriate pH levels when contacted with the liquid sample, facilitating faster and more reliable light emission without requiring complex external pH control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the dry coating is made soluble in the liquid sample, then the pH-adjusting reagent can be transferred to the reaction mixture, but the reagent may be lost in the sample
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a spatial gradient of reagent solubility. The dry coating is designed to be soluble in the liquid sample at the interface where mixing occurs, enabling pH adjustment, but the sampling device structure retains sufficient reagent through controlled solubility characteristics. This localized solubility ensures effective pH adjustment in the reaction zone while preventing complete dissolution and loss of the reagent from the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the solubility characteristics of the dry coating material. The reagent is formulated with specific solubility parameters that allow it to dissolve partially upon sample contact to adjust pH, while maintaining sufficient undissolved residue on the sampling device to ensure reliable transfer to the reaction mixture. This parameter optimization balances reagent availability with prevention of loss in the sample.
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 device significantly reduces the time required for a luciferase enzyme to catalyze a steady-state light-emitting reaction, achieving this in less than 20 seconds at temperatures between 10°C and 35°C, thereby enhancing the efficiency of ATP detection in samples.
Implementation Method 1
The pH-adjusting reagent is capable of causing a pH change when contacted with a liquid reagent composition comprising luciferin. The pH change can facilitate the achievement of a substantially steady-state light-emitting reaction
Implementation Method 2
The chemical energy produced from the breakdown of ATP is converted into light energy. Each molecule of ATP consumed in the reaction produces one photon of light.
Implementation Method 3
using a luminometer to detect light emitted from the reaction mixture catalyzed by a luciferase enzyme
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (1000) and kit (1000) for the detection of ATP in a liquid sample is provided. The apparatus and kit comprise a liquid reagent composition comprising luciferin and a sampling device having (100) a sampling portion (30) and a handling portion (20). The sampling portion (30) is adapted to acquire and releasably retain a predetermined volume of a liquid sample in one or more cavity (32) that is not substantially defined by space between a plurality of fibers. The sampling device (30) comprises a dry coating that includes an effective amount of a pH-adjusting reagent that, when contacted with a liquid reagent composition having a pH of about 6.8 or lower, changes the pH of the liquid reagent composition to 6.9 or higher. A method of use of the apparatus or kit is also provided.