Interlaboratory study comparing two fuel microbiology standard test methods

Two ASTM standard test methods for determining microbial contamination in fuels and fuel-associated water were compared in a joint interlaboratory study. One method measured cellular adenosine triphosphate (cATP) and the other detected specific microbial antigens. The latter was a lateral flow device (LFD). The results illustrate the degree of agreement between the two methods. Representatives of eight organizations tested a total of 144 fuel and fuel-associated water samples by each of the two methods. Raw data were converted into negligible, moderate, and heavy, attribute scores (1, 3 and 5, respectively). The two methods' attribute scores agreed for 122 of the 144 samples (83%). This degree of agreement is a very strong indicator that the two methods provided an accurate indication of microbial contamination.