Summary. ATP levels were determined in micro‐organisms and in foods, either as purchased or after incubation or addition of living bacteria. ATP levels in foods were divided into intrinsic ATP (derived from the original tissue) and microbial ATP. Intrinsic ATP decreased during incubation while bacterial ATP increased. At sufficiently high levels of contamination ATP levels could be related to bacterial concentrations.

Summary. Biodegradability of plasticized PVC film by a Pseudomouas fluorescens strain was assessed quickly by determination of ammonia produced during endogenous respiration of the organism. Values for ammonia production from 52 PVC samples after 48 h showed an excellent inverse correlation with weight loss of the film as determined after 14 days, and can form the basis of a rapid method for assessing biodegradability.

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