Bioluminescence systems in environmental biosensors

Abstract

This chapter describes the application of potentiometric multisensor systems for determining the toxicity of water samples using the Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition assay, which is often chosen as the first test in a test battery based on speed and cost consideration. The test protocol is simple and was originally applied to aqueous samples or extracts. Several authors have reported on the bioluminescence assay with V. fischeri as the most sensitive one for a wide range of chemicals as compared with other assays such as growth inhibition in microcrustaceans, physiological and biochemical evaluation of algae and higher animals, and nitrification enzyme inhibition among others. This chapter presents a brief historical summary, and discusses the biochemical aspects which result in the variation of the bioluminescence of V. fischeri. It describes different commercial systems that use this technique as well as the use of genetically modified microorganisms as a means of introducing more sensitive methods using the principles of bioluminescence. These assays show a good correlation with other standard acute toxicity tests and are reported to detect toxicity over a wide range of toxic substances. Dinoflagellates also produce bioluminescence. In these organisms mechanical stimuli induce the light emission, so that they can be employed as bioassays for mechanical stress.