Bioluminescent bacteria provide analysis of toxicity in water supplies in less than an hour, compared to 96 hours for some traditional test species
The need to re-evaluate the measures by which they provide security of their facilities and the safety of the drinking water supplied to their customers, is currently of particular concern to many of the water utility companies.
In addition to ensuring that facilities are physically secure, the means by which water is tested for contamination, either by accident or intent, is also vital to continuity and quality of supply.
Microtox toxicity test systems, available in the UK through SDI Europe, are proving to be an effective means for frequent and accurate screening for increases in toxicity that would be characteristic of a contamination of water supplies.
The Microtox Acute test system combines the advantages of whole organism toxicity testing with the speed and precision of an analytical instrument.
The result is a reliable biological test that produces results quickly and in time for the data to be used to make important decisions about the safety of the water supply.
Like all the Microtox systems, the Acute test is based upon the use of luminescent bacteria known as Vibrio fischeri, which produce light as a by-product of normal metabolism.
Any inhibition of normal metabolism, such as that caused by toxicity, results in decreased luminescence.
The higher the level of toxicity, the greater the inhibition of light production.
Traditional acute tests, which use vertebrate or invertebrate aquatic species, involve more complicated procedures and require up to 96 hours to get results.
However, the Microtox test which is simple to perform, produces results within an hour. Comparative studies have shown that the Microtox Acute Test correlates well with other conventional toxicity bioassays.
The Microtox test is comprised of the model 500 analyser, a PC, data software, microtox reagent and other liquid consumables to complete the test.
