ATP is the abbreviation for adenosine triphosphate, a biomolecule that provides energy for cellular processes and is present in all animals, plants, fungi and bacteria cells. In the case of microorganisms, metabolically active (living) cells contain the highest levels of ATP, while dead cells contain very little ATP. Foodstuff may also contain ATP, either from fermenting microorganisms or from plant and animal cells (e.g. muscle cells in meat).
