USGS Ohio Water Science Center
IMS/ATP Rapid Detection MethodWhat is the IMS/ATP rapid method?
Original publication of the method can be found at: Lee, JiYoung, and Deininger, R.A., 2004, Detection of E. coli in beach water within 1 hour using immunomagnetic separation and ATP bioluminescence: Luminescence, v. 19, p. 31–36. |
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The immunomagnetic separation/adenosine
triphosphate (IMS/ATP) rapid method requires approximately 1 hour from
sample collection to availability of results. Magnetic beads that are coated
with antibodies for either Escherichia coli (E. coli) or
enterococci are added to a water sample. This mixture is then subjected to
IMS, in which the bacteria-antibody-bead complex is separated from
extraneous materials in the sample by use of a strong magnet. Following
several wash/concentration steps, the bacterial cells are ruptured by an
enzymatic process, releasing ATP, which is the energy molecule found in
living cells. The amount of ATP in the sample is measured with a
microluminometer and results are reported in relative light units (RLUs).