AN OBJECTIVE METHOD TO ASSESS BIOLUMINESCENT PROPERTIES OF SELECTED BACTERIAL STRAINS

Abstract

Abstract. Emission of light as a result of biochemical activities of some living bacteria Vibrio fischeri (in the past known as Photobacterium phosphoreum) makes it possible to monitor environmental changes in ecosystems. Toxicity testing as an international stan-dard operating procedure based on the use of this method has already been accepted. The bioluminescent test offers a rapid, simple and sensitive method to test a wide spectrum of chemical substances and environmental samples including water, wastewater, sludge ex-tracts, etc. In this study, aimed at characterising and comparing bioluminescent properties, four different bacterial strains were cultivated in four different liquid mediums and tem-perature conditions. The bioluminescent intensity of bacterial suspensions was measured using a laboratory BioOrbit 1253 luminometer during bacteria culture. Based on obtained results and mathematical calculations of RLU (relative luminescent units) values strain Photobacterium phosphoreum + NCBE medium were indicated as the variant demonstrat-ing proper bioluminescence intensity and characteristics most suitable for further applica-tions.