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Comparison to tape lifts
Both methods aim at quantifying mold (fungal) biomass and there is generally a good correlation between tape lifts and Mycometer®-test results. This is shown in the paper “Measuring the Efficacy of Mold Remediation on Contaminated Ductwork” which can be downloaded from “Publications”
Microscopy may differ depending on the microbiologist while the Mycometer-test is independent of personal judgement and therefore more objective than microscopy. The Mycometer®-test can provide results on-site permitting a timely and cost efficient measure of monitoring the efficacy of mold remediation. Presence of fibres and debris may obscure fungal biomass leading to an underestimation when determined by microscopy.
With old dried out mold growth the Mycometer®-test may underestimate the amount of mold due to a lowering of enzyme activity per fungal biomass unit in dead mold biomass compared to living.
Comparison to cultivation methods (Rodac and Dip-slides and dilution series)
Direct contact cultivation methods like Rodac plates or Dip-slides are useful when quantifying unicellular organism incl. fungal spores where one cell forms one colony. However, fungi grow as filamentous hyphae which are multicellular and form a network called a mycelium. When using a direct cultivation method the “one cell one colony” does not apply and hence the method cannot quantify the mold biomass. The Mycometer®-test quantifies mold biomass (both hyphae and spores). There is therefore, no correlation between direct contact cultivation methods and the Mycometer®-test.
The cultivation methods are primarily used when wishing to identify fungal species present. The Mycometer®-test is only a quantitative method and gives no information on the species present.
For most purposes mold growth is mold growth and should be removed from a building no matter what species are found.
Comparison to ATP detection methods
ATP based detection methods are developed for general hygiene testing. ATP is present in all living organisms, including animals, plants, yeast, bacteria and mold cells. Detection of ATP indicates the presence of contamination by any of these sources. Furthermore, many building materials contain significant amounts of ATP. Therefore, if the ATP method is used to detect the presence of mold it will often lead to false positives. To quantify cells by quantifying ATP the cells have to be opened as the ATP is inside the cells. Fungal cells with rigid cell walls are not easy to open and very difficult to open quantitatively. This makes it almost impossible to make a reliable and repeatable test based on ATP detection. The Mycometer®-test is much more selective for quantifying mold biomass. The method is based on a simple chemistry which does not require opening of the fungal cells. This makes the Mycometer®-test a more reliable and repeatable method than any ATP method.
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