Advantages:
· Instantaneous to rapid, depending upon pre-enrichment
· Low Cost
· Portable and/or automated
· Good limit of detection if following an incubation period
· Measure of viability
· May be specific to enteric bacteria by using bacteriophage lysis
Limitations:
· Poor sensitivity
· Inhibition by non-specific matter in sample
No pre-enrichment:
· Non-specific unless modified.
· Low ATP in bacterial cells to produce a detectable signal
· High background ATP - poor signal differentiation
Cultivation Step:
· Slow result
· Time consuming preparation