Understanding why there might be discrepancies between ATP results and qPCR detection is essential for accurate data interpretation. This article explains the differences between these two methods and offers insights into why high ATP levels might not correlate with qPCR detection.
Differences between ATP and qPCR testing
ATP Testing: Measures the total microbial load by quantifying adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a molecule found in all living cells. It gives an overall indication of biological activity within a sample.
qPCR Testing: Detects and quantifies specific microorganisms by targeting their unique DNA sequences. It provides detailed information about the presence and quantity of particular microbial species.
Reasons for no qPCR detection despite high ATP levels
There could be several reasons for qPCR non-detects. The primary reason for non-detects in qPCR is the absence or insufficient quantity of the specific target DNA within the sample. While ATP indicates overall microbial load, qPCR only detects specific organisms. High ATP results could be due to microorganisms not targeted by the qPCR assay.
Recommendations for accurate interpretation
Include positive controls for all target organisms in your qPCR experiments. Positive controls help validate the assay's performance and confirm that negative results are due to the absence of target DNA, not test errors. Learn more about the importance of positive controls in qPCR.