Microbiological Testing

Microbiological testing includes culture-based methods, rapid microbial tests and molecular techniques such as PCR. Unlike ATP testing, it can identify or count specific organisms—such as Salmonella, Listeria or total viable counts—rather than measuring general organic residue.

Microbiological testing answers questions that ATP testing cannot, such as whether a specific pathogen is present. It is slower and more resource-intensive, but essential for regulatory compliance and risk investigation.

Used in food safety verification, healthcare outbreak investigations, water testing, and pharmaceutical environmental monitoring.

• How Does ATP Testing Work?
• What Is ATP Testing? How to Know If a Surface Is Really Clean